The new Quinnipiac poll of Ohio shows the Democratic candidates leading in the gubernatorial race, plus the election for the open Senate seat of retiring Republican Sen. George Voinovich — with the potential for a Democratic turnaround in the wake of the health care bill’s passage.
In the Senate race, Democratic Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner were each tested against Republican Rob Portman, a former Congressman and former Bush administration official. Fisher leads Portman by 41%-37%, and Brunner has an edge of 38%-37%. In February, Portman led Fisher by 40%-37%, and led Brunner by 40%-35%. The margin of error is ±2.5%. The TPM Poll Average gives Portman an edge of 39.6%-38.6% over Fisher, and a 39.4%-38.1% edge over Brunner, with recent movement in the Democrats’ direction.
In the gubernatorial race, incumbent Dem Gov. Ted Strickland now leads Republican former Rep. John Kasich by 43%-38%, essentially unchanged from a 44%-39% Strickland lead in February. The TPM Poll Average gives Kasich an edge of 41.8%-40.7%.
President Obama’s approval rating in Ohio in 47%, with 48% disapproval, compared to a 44%-52% rating last month. The poll also finds that while Ohioans remain opposed to the health care bill by a 50%-43% margin, this is actually an improvement for the bill from a 55%-36% margin in November.
From the pollster’s analysis: “Perhaps it’s the passage of the health care overhaul and the fact that people like being with a winner: There has been a small, but consistent movement toward Democratic candidates and causes in Ohio in the last month.”
