Ohio Pro-Life Candidates Portman, Kasich Lead Democrats Fisher, Strickland

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Sep 6, 2010   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Ohio Pro-Life Candidates Portman, Kasich Lead Democrats Fisher, Strickland

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
September 6
, 2010

Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) — A new poll released today by the Columbus Dispatch newspaper funds two pro-life candidates now holding sizable leads. GOP gubernatorial candidate John Kasich leads pro-abortion Gov. Ted Strickland by 12 percent while Senate hopeful Rob Portman tops Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher by 13 percent.

The newspaper conducted a survey of 1,622 registered voters by mail.

It found Kasich, a former congressman and presidential candidate who compiled a strong pro-life voting record, leading Strickland 49-37 percent with 4 percent backing another candidate and 10 percent undecided.

In the Senate race, Portman, also a congressman with a strong pro-life voting record, leads Fisher 50-37 percent with 3 percent who support a minor candidate and 9 percent undecided.

Strickland won by more than 20 percent over pro-life Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell four years ago but the poll found less than two-thirds of those who voted for him before are backing him now.

The newspaper poll also found voter enthusiasm running nearly three times higher among Republicans than Democrats pointing to a larger turnout of Republican voters than Democrats.

Both parties favored their own candidates in each race by very high percentages while independent voters favored Kasich and Portman.

The poll also found other pro-life Republican candidates leading their statewide races.

Former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine leads the attorney general race by two percent, Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost is ahead in the auditor race and state Sen. Jon Husted runs ahead in the Secretary of State contest.

The results are a departure from a poll last week showing the Ohio Senate race has tightened.

A Rasmussen Reports poll had Portman picking up 44% support while his opponent earns the backing of 39%. Seven percent prefer another candidate and another 11% are undecided. When leaners were included in the new totals, Portman still leads. With the leaners, 47% will vote for Portman and 41% for Fisher.

Portman earns 84% of the vote from Republicans, while Fisher is backed by 77% of Democrats. Portman leads Fisher 47% to 23% among voters in the state not affiliated with either major political party in the Rasmussen survey.

In May, Ohio Right to Life issued its 2010 general election endorsements and backed Portman along with gubernatorial candidate Kasich.

Mike Gonidakis, on behalf of the Ohio Right to Life PAC, told LifeNews.com that Ohio voters will likely send pro-abortion members of Congress a resounding wake-up call this November.

"Based upon the failed leadership in Congress and the collective abandonment of the will of the people relating to the pro-abortion federal health care vote, Ohio Right to Life enthusiastically and proudly endorses a strong pro-life congressional slate," he said.

He added, "Ohioans are united regarding the belief that our Congress needs a wake-up call and this November we will deliver a resounding message with the election of new members to Congress to include: Rob Portman, Steve Chabot, Jim Renacci, and Tom Ganley."

The pro-abortion health care bill President Barack Obama signed into law, with the help of most of the Democrats in the House and Senate — and over the objections of all Republicans — played a significant role in the endorsements, the Right to Life leader said.

Related web sites:
Ohio Right to Life PAC – https://www.ohiovotesforlife.org

 

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