Raleigh, N.C.— As the Ohio Gubernatorial election nears, Democratic incumbent Ted Strickland is inching closer to former U.S. Representative John Kasich. 43% of voters prefer Kasich and 41% Strickland on PPP’s newest survey, in comparison to a March poll where Kasich had 42% and Strickland 37%.
The Governor is lagging behind because Ohioans want change. Kasich is still relatively unknown, even amongst his own party. 41% of Republicans have no opinion of their party’s gubernatorial nominee. However, Strickland is generally disliked. Only 37% of Ohioans approve of the Governor. Voters may be asking for someone new even if they don’t know them.
“There is still a lot of time and a lot of undecided voters left in this election,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “But if Kasich gets his name out there and proves that he is change, he could win this election.”
PPP surveyed 482 Ohio voters from June 26-27. The survey’s margin of error is +/- 4.5%. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.
If you would like an interview regarding this release, please contact Dean Debnam at (888) 621-6988 or 919-880-4888.
Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.
Q1 Do you approve or disapprove of Governor Ted
Strickland’s job performance?
Approve…………….. 37%
Disapprove………… 48%
Not Sure……………. 15%
Q2 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of John Kasich?
Favorable……………. 28%
Unfavorable ………… 30%
Not Sure……………… 41%
Q3 If the candidates for Governor this fall were
Republican John Kasich and Democrat Ted
Strickland, who would you vote for?
John Kasich ……………………………………………. 43%
Ted Strickland…………………………………………. 41%
Undecided………………………………………………. 16%
Q4 Who did you vote for President last year?
John McCain…………………………………………… 44%
Barack Obama………………………………………… 50%
Someone Else/Don’t Remember………………… 6%
Q5 Would you describe yourself as a liberal,
moderate, or conservative?
Liberal ……………………………………………………. 18%
Moderate………………………………………………… 45%
Conservative…………………………………………… 37%
Q6 If you are a woman, press 1, if a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 50%
Man……………………………………………………….. 50%
Q7 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If you are a
Republican, press 2. If you are an independent
or identify with another party, press 3.
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 44%
Republican……………………………………………… 38%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 18%
Q8 If you are white, 1. If African American, press
2. If other, press 3.
White …………………………………………………….. 84%
African American …………………………………….. 12%
Other……………………………………………………… 4%
Q9 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1 now. If
you are 30 to 45, press 2. If you are 46 to 65,
press 3. If older, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 4%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 27%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 43%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 27%
