Raleigh, NC—The Ohio Senatorial election looks close. Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher and former Congressman and Bush administration official Rob Portman are neck and neck; Fisher is just two points ahead of Portman; 40:38. Four months out from the election 22% of the voters remain undecided.
Neither candidate has high favorability or unfavorable ratings, suggesting they both are unknown throughout the state. Portman lacks popularity even amongst his own party. 50% of Republicans say they are unsure of their opinion of Portman. In contrast to the 40% of Democrats who have no opinion of Fisher. The large number of undecided voters is directly related to Fisher and Portman’s lack of visibility. With so many undecided voters it is essential that both candidates increase their exposure.
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.
“If Fisher focuses on his Ohio roots and his work in Columbus, while highlighting Portman’s long history in Washington, he could easily win over Ohio voters, said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling. “Ohioans are clearly tired of national politicians and want someone who will represent Ohio in Washington.”
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 President
Barack Obama’s job performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 42%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 54%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 4%
Q2 Do you support or oppose President Obama’s
health care plan, or are you not sure?
Support ………………………………………………….. 38%
Oppose ………………………………………………….. 53%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 9%
Q3 Do you approve or disapprove of Senator
George Voinovich’s job performance?
Approve …………………………………………………. 21%
Disapprove……………………………………………… 48%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 31%
Q4 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Lee Fisher?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 28%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 27%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 45%
Q5 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Rob Portman?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 22%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 25%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 53%
Q6 The candidates for US Senate this fall are
Democrat Lee Fisher and Republican Rob
Portman. If the election was today, who would
you vote for?
Lee Fisher………………………………………………. 40%
Rob Portman…………………………………………… 38%
Undecided………………………………………………. 22%
Q7 Do you think that Columbus politicians or
Washington politicians are better equipped to
deal with Ohio’s problems?
Columbus politicians………………………………… 59%
Washington politicians ……………………………… 15%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 26%
Q8 Who did you vote for President last year?
John McCain…………………………………………… 44%
Barack Obama………………………………………… 50%
Someone Else/Don’t Remember………………… 6%
Q9 Would you describe yourself as a liberal,
moderate, or conservative?
Liberal ……………………………………………………. 18%
Moderate………………………………………………… 45%
Conservative…………………………………………… 37%
Q10 If you are a woman, press 1, if a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 50%
Man……………………………………………………….. 50%
Q11 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%
Q12 If you are white, 1. If African American, press
2. If other, press 3.
White …………………………………………………….. 84%
African American …………………………………….. 12%
Other……………………………………………………… 4%
Q13 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%
