New poll: Gov. Strickland regains lead over GOP challenger Kasich

COLUMBUS — Gov. Ted Strickland has regained his lead over Republican challenger John Kasich, according to a new poll released today.

Registered voters questioned by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute preferred the Democratic incumbent, 44 percent-39 percent. That compares to the last Quinnipiac poll in November, when voters were deadlocked on the candidates, 40 percent to 40 percent.

“There has been an improvement in voters’ views of Gov. Ted Strickland,” Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the institute, said in a released statement. “The movement is a few points, but it is consistent across a number of measures. Voters, however, remain negative on his handling of the state budget and the state economy.”

He added, “John Kasich remains unknown to most voters. The campaign will be a race by the candidates to define Kasich to the 62 percent of voters who don’t know enough about him to have an opinion.”

The Connecticut-based polling institute regularly gauges Ohioans’ views on candidates and issues.

For the complete story, see Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com