A new Rasmussen poll in Minnesota (500 LVs, 5/24, MoE +/- 4.5%) finds state Rep. Tom Emmer (R) leading all three potential Democratic opponents.

General Election Matchups
Emmer (R) 37 -- Dayton (D) 35 -- Horner (I) 12 -- Und 16
Emmer (R) 38 -- Killiher (D) 26 -- Horner (I) 11 -- Und 15
Emmer (R) 37 -- Entenza (D) 34 -- Horner (I) 12 -- Und 17

Former Sen. Mark Dayton led Emmer 38-35 in a March Rasmussen survey.

Outgoing Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) has a 53 percent job approval rating in the state, Rasmussen also finds. But if he were to be the GOP nominee for president in 2012, only 35 percent say they would vote for hi, while 49 percent say they would not. President Obama has a nearly identical job rating -- 52 percent approve, 46 percent disapprove.

--------------------------------------------
Follow the RCP Blog on Twitter.
Become a fan of RCP on Facebook.
--------------------------------------------