Kelliher confident despite second place showing in poll

House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher says she's not surprised by a new poll that shows her in second place among the three DFL primary candidates for governor.

Kelliher is the DFL-endorsed candidate for governor. An MPR News/Humphrey Institute poll shows her current support among likely DFL voters at 28 percent. That's 10 points behind former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton, who did not seek the party endorsement.

Kelliher pointed out that Dayton was campaigning full time, while she was working at the State Capitol. She also took comfort in the 28 percent of undecided respondents.

"There's a lot of opportunity to talk to DFLers across the state and people who will vote in the DFL primary," Kelliher said. "I'm excited for that opportunity."

She also said name recognition is a big factor in the poll results.

"He has a 20 year, 30 year head start on me," she pointed out.

Kelliher also said Dayton has been spending his own personal fortune to get a head start in the race. But she said she's confident she can catch up.

"The most important thing is ... we've got people on our side. And every single day, every single night of the week we have people out door knocking, making phone calls," she said. "It really is the people power that's powering this campaign."

Former state Rep. Matt Entenza was a distant third at 6 percent. The primary is August 10.