Ohio Pro-Life Candidates Kasich, Portman Lead State Races

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Oct 28, 2010   |   1:12PM   |   Columbus, OH

John Kasich and Bob Portman, the pro-life candidates in Ohio for governor and the U.S. Senate, are leading their respective races. That’s according to new polls from Rasmussen and Survey USA.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely voters in the Buckeye State shows Kasich with 48% support, while pro-abortion Democratic incumbent Ted Strickland earns 44% of the vote.

Three percent favor another candidate and four percent are undecided.
 
“Two weeks ago, Kasich held a three-point lead, 48% to 45%, the closest the race has been since early August and Strickland’s best showing since May. This is now the sixth straight survey to show Kasich’s support between 47% and 50%. Strickland has picked up 39% to 45% of the vote in those same polls,” Rasmussen noted.

Meanwhile, polling firm Survey USA conducted its final look and found Kasich leads by five percent and Portman has a massive 15 percentage point lead.

“Portman is well positioned to be elected US Senator from Ohio, defeating Democrat Lee Fisher” the firm says.

The contest is even among those who tell SurveyUSA they have returned a ballot, but when all respondents are counted, SurveyUSA sees it today as Portman 52%, Fisher 37%. Compared to a SurveyUSA poll 6 weeks ago, Independents have moved to the Republican, who had led by 7, now by 17.

Republican challenger Kasich appears positioned to take the Ohio statehouse away from incumbent Strickland as the poll shows Kasich with 49%, Strickland 44 percent.

“In Ohio, Democrats have apparently done a good job in getting their supporters to early voting,” conservative writer Ed Morrissey says in response.

‘Strickland has a narrow lead over Kasich among those who say they have already voted, as does Cordray over DeWine, and an even-up in the Senate race.  However, Republicans and independents are expected to turn out in force on Election Day, perhaps especially in Ohio, where economic concerns have ruined Strickland’s chances,” he explains.

“Assuming that the wave breaks as expected, this will be a big problem for Democrats down the ticket as well.  If the GOP stages a sweep at the top, it’s difficult to see how Democrats will be able to rescue most of their Congressional delegation,” he added.

That means trouble for candidates like Steve Driehaus, he said.

In the contest for the attorney general race, pro-life Republican challenger Mike DeWine and incumbent Democrat Richard Cordray are battle but the race is DeWine 46%, Cordray 44%.

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. [related]

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.