(Angus Reid Global Scan) – United States congressman Ted Strickland has extended his lead in the early stages of Ohio’s gubernatorial race, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. At least 44 per cent of respondents in the Buckeye State would support the Democrat in head-to-head contests against two prospective Republican rivals.
(Angus Reid Global Scan) – United States congressman Ted Strickland has extended his lead in the early stages of Ohio’s gubernatorial race, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. At least 44 per cent of respondents in the Buckeye State would support the Democrat in head-to-head contests against two prospective Republican rivals.
Bob Taft—a Republican—has acted as Ohio’s governor since 1999. The former state secretary defeated Tim Hagan in the November 2002 election with 58 per cent of the vote.
In August 2005, Taft was convicted of four misdemeanour crimes after failing to report $3,500 U.S. worth of golf outings and gifts received from political and business leaders. The governor was fined $4,000 U.S. plus court costs.
Strickland holds a 12-point advantage over state secretary Ken Blackwell, and a seven-point edge over former U.S. congressman and current television host John Kasich.
On Feb. 22, Strickland presented his plans for a $250 million U.S. annual investment in alternative fuels, which would entail the installation of windmills. The congressman said he would fund the program using tax-free bonds, adding, “This will result in thousands of new jobs created in Ohio, and these will be the high-tech jobs we all want to bring here.”
No Democrat has won a gubernatorial election in the Buckeye State since Dick Celeste in 1986. The election is scheduled for Nov. 7.
Polling Data
Election 2006 – Ohio Governor
Option 1
Jan. 2006 | Nov. 2005 | |
Ted Strickland (D) | 47% | 42% |
Ken Blackwell (R) | 35% | 36% |
Option 2
Jan. 2006 | Nov. 2005 | |
Ted Strickland (D) | 44% | 39% |
John Kasich (R) | 37% | 33% |
Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 500 likely Ohio voters, conducted on Jan. 3, 2006. Margin of error is 4.5 per cent.
