The new survey of the Ohio Senate race from Public Policy Polling (D) gives Democratic Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher a narrow edge against Republican Rob Portman, a former Congressman and Bush administration official. The key takeaway: Even though Obama’s popularity has gone downhill in this perennial swing state, Portman’s ties to Washington are tripping him up.
The numbers: Fisher 40%, Portman 38%. The survey of registered voters has a ±4.5% margin of error. In the previous general election poll from March, during the Democratic primary between Fisher and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, Portman led Fisher by 41%-36%.
These numbers come on the same day as a Quinnipiac poll, which gave Fisher a similar lead of 42%-40%. The TPM Poll Average has Fisher ahead by 43.3%-41.0%.
PPP’s analysis shows the tight-rope that each candidate has to walk, in terms of both their parties and their professional backgrounds:
Democratic nominee, Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, has an edge–he’s not from Washington. Ohio voters overwhelmingly prefer Columbus politicians to Washington insiders; 59:15.
Fisher would be well advised to stay an arms length away from Obama; Ohioans aren’t fans of the President. 42% of voters approve of the President’s job performance and 54% disapprove. Retiring Senator George Voinovich should retire in silence; his support won’t help fellow Republican Portman either. Only 21% of voters gave the Senator high marks.
