Poll: close races for Ohio’s statewide offices

BILL LACKEY/STAFF

BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Just before Ohio voters begin casting early ballots, a new poll released Monday show the races for auditor, secretary of state, and treasurer are dead heats while Republican Dave Yost has a slight lead over Democrat Steve Dettelbach in the attorney general’s contest.

In each race there are big chunks of voters who are undecided — 27.6 percent to 30 percent.

Yost, who is has been state auditor for nearly eight years, holds 38.1 percent while Dettelbach, a former U.S. attorney, has 33.7 percent support and 28.2 percent of voters are undecided in the attorney general's race, the Baldwin Wallace University poll shows. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.5 percent.

In the secretary of state's race, Democrat Kathleen Clyde and Republican Frank LaRose each have 32.6 percent support and 27.6 percent are undecided.

In the treasurer's race, Democrat Rob Richardson of Cincinnati has 33.2 percent to Findlay Republican Robert Sprague's 31.1 percent. Nearly 30 percent haven't made up their minds.

In the auditor's race, Democrat Zack Space of Dover has 32.2 percent while Republican Keith Faber of Celina has 31.3 percent and 30 percent are undecided.

As in other polls, the Baldwin Wallace survey found the governor’s race is a statistical tie.

The poll, which was conducted Sept. 28 to Oct. 8, shows Republican Mike DeWine has 39.7 percent, Democrat Richard Cordray 37.1 percent, Libertarian Travis Irvine has 4.3 percent, Ohio Green Party candidate Constance Gadell-Newton has 3.4 percent and 15.4 percent of voters are undecided.

About the Author