A new Rasmussen poll released today has Republican Rob Portman leading Democratic Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher 48%-39% in Ohio’s Senate race.
This is the largest lead held by the Republican nominee over the last few months of polling. Notably, the latest Rasmussen survey includes “leaners” — or respondents who do not initially indicate a preference for either candidate, but when pressed in a follow-up, declare that they are leaning towards a particular nominee. The survey showed a slightly narrower eight-point margin for respondents’ initial preferences, with Portman up 45%-37%. An August 2 Rasmussen poll gave the Republican a four-point lead, 44%-40%, but that poll did not press those surveyed beyond their initial responses.
The TPM Poll Average has Portman ahead in the race, 44.0%-40.7%. The margin of error of the latest Rasmussen poll is ±4.0 percentage points.
For more on the race, check out TPMDC’s full coverage here.
