Democratic Congressman Tim Walz holds an 18 percentage point lead over Rochester Republican Brian Davis, according to a poll conducted by the challenger’s campaign.

Davis had previously declined to talk about how internal polls are shaping up, but he saw enough reason for optimism in the numbers to release some of the results. In a written statement, Davis focused on two results — a slight narrowing of the gap in the past month and the fact Walz isn’t above 50 percent support.

“I am very pleased to see our hard work has been paying off,” Davis said.

The telephone survey of 300 registered voters on Sept. 17 and 18 showed Walz with the support of 50 percent of voters, down from 54 percent a month earlier. Davis was supported by 32 percent of respondents, up from 27 percent in August — prior to his primary election victory over fellow Republican Dick Day of Owatonna.

Walz campaign manager Chris Schmitter pointed to a different result in the poll: 39 percent of respondents last week said they generally preferred to see a Republican representing the 1st District, but just 32 percent supported Davis.

“From everything we can see from our campaign, Tim’s in a very strong position,” Schmitter said.

With six weeks left until election day, Davis will need to make up ground in a hurry to match Walz’s position in his upset victory over Congressman Gil Gutknecht. An independent poll of 1,000 voters conducted in the second week of October 2006 showed a virtual dead heat with Gutknecht leading Walz 47 percent to 46 percent.

Debates in the 1st
Both Walz and Davis have committed to participate in three debates, including one in Mankato on Oct. 13.

Following a Rochester forum on Oct. 2, a second debate, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, will be taped Oct. 4 by KSTP-TV and will be broadcast later.

The specific time and location of the Oct. 13 debate in Mankato haven’t been finalized. That debate, sponsored by the nonpartisan organization Debate Minnesota, is expected to be broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio.

Arts and politics
A “vote yes” open house will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the Emy Frentz Arts Guild, 523 S. Second St., Mankato. The event is part of the effort to generate support for the constitutional amendment to approve a three-eighths of 1 percent increase in the state sales tax with proceeds dedicated to improving wildlife habitat, reducing water pollution, financing parks and trails and supporting the arts.