New Ohio polls

Timothy McNulty | September 16, 2009

Here's the latest Quinnipiac polling on our friends next-door, who, like Pa, have governor and Senate races next year. First on the Senate race:

In the face-off for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher has opened a 26 - 17 percent lead over Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, with 55 percent undecided, while in the GOP intraparty fight former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman leads Cleveland area car dealer Tom Ganley 27 - 9 percent, with 61 percent undecided.

In general election matchups:

• Fisher tops Portman 42 - 31 percent and Ganley 41 - 29 percent;
• Brunner tops Portman 39 - 34 percent and Ganley 39 - 31 percent.

And another one on governor:

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's job approval is up slightly to 48 - 42 percent from 46 - 42 percent July 3. The Democratic incumbent's lead over John Kasich, a likely Republican challenger in the 2010 re-election campaign, is up from 43 - 38 percent to 46 - 36 percent.

But voters disapprove 54 - 33 percent of the way Gov. Strickland is handling the state economy and disapprove 47 - 36 percent of his handling of the state budget.

. . . In a 2010 reelection matchup with former Congressman and Fox News host Kasich, Democrats back Strickland 81 - 5 percent while Kasich leads 73 - 15 percent among Republicans and inches ahead 39 - 35 percent among independent voters.

"The Governor's lead stems from his holding more than four in five Democrats, a larger share than Kasich gets among Republicans. But Strickland's potential Achilles heel is independents, who tip to Kasich."