Given Minnesota’s status as a battleground state that the president lost by only 44,000 votes in 2016, and given the tremendous potential importance to the country of a Republican Senate if Biden is elected, the sudden and pleasantly unexpected surge of Republican Jason Lewis against incumbent Democrat Senator Tina Lewis (yeah, I know, who?) is making Democrats nervous and Republicans determined to pull off an upset.

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FNC: “The race for U.S. Senate in Minnesota has narrowed substantially before the election, with the incumbent, Democratic Sen. Tina Smith, shedding her double-digit lead and finding herself in a dead heat with Republican Jason Lewis, according to a new poll. A KTSP/SurveyUSA poll released on Wednesday showed Lewis and Smith in a virtual tie (43% to 42%). As recently as early October, Smith enjoyed a seven-point lead over Lewis. That was even larger in mid-September when she led him 47% to 36%. According to 5 Eyewitness News, suburban women — a key and often-watched demographic — have helped drive the shift by leaving Smith. Carleton College political analyst Steven Schier told the outlet that the race ‘could go either way and it’s a bit of a surprise because Tina Smith has had a lot more resources than Jason Lewis.’ ”

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“Frankly, it’s not all that surprising,” said Lewis. “We’re seeing a marked shift in our direction and in the president’s direction.” Minnesota is “ripe for the picking,” said the challenger. Democrats are admitting the race has become competitive and are pushing the panic button.

In a fundraising email on Wednesday, the Democratic Farm-Labor Party said “we weren’t expecting this, and we need to immediately move some resources into this race.” Translation: “Oh no. This was supposed to be a lock. And if this goes for Lewis it could go for Trump. Sh**.”

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A GOP Senate would be a bulwark against socialism in a Biden administration. Current horse race handicapping puts the Republicans at steady or maybe a gain of one to 54. If Lewis were to pull this off and the Republicans possibly took 55 seats, it would make for a nice cushion against Vichy Republican cowardice and collaboration. So as in the presidential race, Minnesota could hold a key to the future of the country.