Once a Swing State, Does Ohio Have Any Shades of Purple Left?
A recent poll by the Bowling Green State University Democracy and Public Policy Research Network highlights the competitiveness of Ohio’s upcoming midterm elections. The survey included 800 registered Ohio voters and was released last month.
Senate Race in Ohio
The polling shows former Senator Sherrod Brown and current Senator Jon Husted are virtually tied in Ohio’s U.S. Senate race, with all figures within the 4.5% margin of error.
Gubernatorial Race in Ohio
In the contest for Ohio governor, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy holds a slim lead over former Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton and former U.S. representative Ryan, who has yet to officially declare a candidacy.
“Ohio will certainly be on many people's minds this time next year,” said Robert Alexander, professor of political science at BGSU and one of the poll’s conductors.
Voter Sentiment and Economy
The poll reflects the typical pattern where the sitting president’s party faces challenges during midterm elections. President Donald Trump’s approval rating has decreased among Ohio voters.
“That might explain a little bit of what we’re seeing here,” Alexander commented regarding the drop in approval.
Voters are particularly dissatisfied with the economy. A year ago, concerns centered on simple costs like eggs, but now, 56% of Ohioans feel pessimistic about the country’s economic outlook compared to last year.
---This poll underscores Ohio’s persistent political uncertainty, shaped by economic worries and shifting approval ratings, which keep its status as a highly contested state very much alive.