GOP's Portman Has Modest Leads Over Democratic Hopefuls in Ohio Senate Race

Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher is leading Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner in the race to be the Democratic Party nominee for Senate, but former Republican congressman and Bush cabinet member Rob Portman has modest leads over both of them in general election match-ups, according to a Quinnipiac University poll conducted Feb. 16-21.

All three are seeking to fill the seat being vacated by Sen. George Voinovich, a Republican, who is not seeking re-election.

Perhaps the most notable statistic about the Democrats' May 4 primary is that 48 percent of voters are still undecided at this point. But for those who have chosen sides, Fisher leads Brunner by 29 percent to 20 percent. The margin of error is four points. In November, Fisher had a two-point lead over Brunner.

In a general election contest, Portman leads Fisher, 40 percent to 37 percent, with 21 percent undecided. The general election margin of error is 2.4 points. Independents favor Portman by 39 percent to 27 percent with 28 percent undecided.Portman leads Brunner, 40 percent to 35 percent, with 23 percent undecided. He has an advantage of 40 percent to 28 percent among independents, with 29 percent undecided.

The three candidates have a ways to go to get voters to know them. The percentages of those polled who don't know enough about them to render a favorable or unfavorable opinion are in the 60s for all three.

They are running in an environment where Democrats are seen slightly more unfavorably than Republicans. Fifty percent see the Democrats unfavorably, compared with 38 percent who see them favorably, with 10 percent expressing no opinion. Republicans are seen unfavorably by 46 percent and favorably by 37 percent with 13 percent expressing no opinion. Thirty-two percent regard the Tea Party movement favorably, compared with 23 percent who see it negatively, but 43 percent have not heard enough about it to come down on one side or the other.

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