Ohio Senate Race: Does Tim Ryan Have A Strong Chance To Beat JD Vance?
Democrat Rep. Tim Ryan and Republican J.D. Vance have been locked in a tight Ohio Senate race for weeks. As Election Day looms, polls show the race remains a toss up.
According to Cygnal's Momentum tracking poll, Vance leads Ryan, 49% to 44%. The numbers are noteworthy given that Republican Gov. Mike DeWine has a double-digit lead on his Democrat opponent.
But other recent polls show the race is tied. A Marist College poll and a Spectrum News/Siena College poll showed both candidates at 47% and 46%, respectively.
Vance is considered the favorite given Ohio's recent elections. Former President Donald Trump won the state in 2020 by eight points and most political strategists expect Republicans to make gains in the midterm elections.
However, Ryan has had a huge fundraising advantage. In the third quarter, Ryan raised $17.2 million and reported $1.4 million in cash ahead of October, while Vance reported $6.9 million raised and $3.4 million in cash entering October.
Vance, meanwhile, accepted an endorsement from Trump despite publicly criticizing him. Trump's presence in the election may or may not be an asset for Vance given the controversies surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot and the FBI raid in August on Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.
Ryan also is an elected official and has a higher favorability rating in the polls than Vance, who has never served in elected position.
Abortion rights, border control, inflation and education have been the top issues of the campaign. The two candidates had heated exchanges in their recent debate.
It's unclear if Ohio voters would prefer a political novice like Vance or a 10-term congressman like Ryan.
The seat is open after Republican Sen. Rob Portman chose not to seek another term.
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