Portman now outpacing Democratic challenger, Ted Strickland
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Republican Sen. Rob Portman is outpacing his Democratic challenger, Ted Strickland, among Ohio voters, according to a new Quinnipiac Poll released Thursday.
It’s the first time the incumbent topped the former governor in the Connecticut-group’s survey. Incumbent Republican senators also are ahead of their Democratic challengers in Florida and Pennsylvania.
“The numbers seem to be breaking the Republican way in the battle for control of the U.S. Senate, at least when it comes to the critical swing states of Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania,” Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the poll, said in a released statement. “... In Ohio, Sen. Portman had trailed for much of the campaign, but now has moved clearly ahead of Democratic challenger Ted Strickland, a former governor.”
He added “Many talking heads have suggested that with Donald Trump at the top of the GOP ticket, Republican Senate candidates might suffer. But at least in these three key states, the Republican Senate candidates are running ahead of Trump and don’t seem to be hurt by their shared party label.”
Quinnipiac regularly gauges the opinions of voters in Ohio and other swing states on voters and issues. Its poll Thursday, which included 955 Ohio voters, had a margin of error of about 3 percentage points.
Portman was ahead of Strickland, 47 percent to 40 percent. That compares to 42 percent to 42 percent split last month and comparable results in May and February polls.
Strickland was ahead 46 percent to 43 percent in Quinnipiac’s pre-election October poll.
Ohio voters approved of Portman’s work in office, 46 percent to 35 percent.
They also approved of Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown (48 percent to 30 percent) and Gov. John Kasich (58 percent to 32 percent).