A recent
Emerson College poll reveals significant gains for Democrats in Ohio, with Democrat Amy Acton now leading her Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, by one percentage point in the gubernatorial race. Acton holds 46% support compared to Ramaswamy's 45%, with 9% of voters still undecided. This marks a dramatic shift from August, when Ramaswamy led by 10 points.
Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, noted changes in voter demographics: "The August Emerson College poll found women voters split between Ramaswamy and Acton, 44% to 42%, and men breaking for Ramaswamy 54% to 36%. Four months later, men still support Ramaswamy by about 20 points, 55% to 35%, but women have shifted toward Acton, breaking for her 56% to 37%."
In the U.S. Senate race, Republican incumbent Jon Husted leads with 49% support over Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown, who has 46%, with 5% undecided. The Senate race has remained relatively stable since August, with Husted's support decreasing by one point and Brown's increasing by two.
Kimball highlighted the political dynamics among younger voters: "Ohio voters who did not participate in the 2024 election, most of whom are under 30, are more likely to identify as Republicans rather than Democrats. In addition, 31% of voters under 30 align with independents or Democrats, while 38% identify with Republicans, though this group still breaks for Democrats on the ballot by about 12 points."
President Donald Trump's job approval rating in Ohio stands at 46%, with a disapproval rating of 48%. Since August, Trump's approval has decreased by three points, while his disapproval has risen by six points. Gov. Mike DeWine's approval rating is at 26%, with a disapproval rating of 45%, reflecting a six-point drop in approval and a five-point increase in disapproval since August.
The economy remains the top issue for Ohio voters at 44%, followed by threats to democracy at 13%, healthcare at 11%, housing affordability at 9%, immigration at 8%, and education at 7%. Opinions on mass deportations of undocumented immigrants are divided, with 53% viewing them as beneficial for the state, down from 57% in August, while 47% see them as detrimental, up from 43%.
When asked which political party they trust more to make Ohio more affordable, 43% of voters favored the Republican Party, 37% favored the Democratic Party, and 19% trusted neither party.
