Democrat Tim Ryan holds slight edge over J.D. Vance in Ohio Senate race: poll
Voters said the economy is their top concern ahead of the midterm elections
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A new poll suggests that Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, holds a slim lead over his Republican challenger, J.D. Vance, in the race to represent Ohio in the Senate.
The Spectrum News and Siena College poll, which was released Tuesday and gathered responses from 642 likely Ohio voters, revealed that 46% of respondents would vote for Ryan and 43% of those surveyed would vote for Vance if the election were held today. Nine percent of respondents remained unsure or had no pinion on the race.
As for favorability among the two candidates, 38% of voters surveyed said they hold a favorable view of Ryan and 32% said the same for Vance just six weeks out from election day.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The poll also revealed that residents in Ohio have a largely unfavorable view of President Biden and his performance in the White House.
Ohio Democratic Senate candidate Tim Ryan and Ohio GOP Senate candidate J.D. Vance (Gaelen Morse/Bloomberg, Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Overall, 58% of those surveyed said they hold an unfavorable view of Biden compared to 39% who said they hold a favorable view.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Asked how they believe Biden has handled his job as the nation's commander in chief, a total of 56% of those surveyed said they strongly disapprove or somewhat disapprove, compared to 41% who said they strongly approve or somewhat approve.
President Biden answers a reporter's question as he leaves after speaking about the DISCLOSE Act in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
In addition, the Ohio voters were also asked about their top concerns ahead of the midterm elections, with the economy and "threats to our democracy" ranking at the top, followed by abortion.
A total of 41% of respondents said the economy is their top concern in determining who they vote for this November, followed by 15% who said "threats to our democracy" and 13% who said abortion were their top issues.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A large portion of those surveyed, 62%, said they had to "cut back on some items in order to make ends meet" amid rising inflation across the country.
A parent shops for school supplies at a Target store, Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in North Miami, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
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The Spectrum News and Siena College poll was conducted via telephone from Sept. 18 to 22 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4%.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A Marist poll released last week showed a dead heat race between Vance and Ryan, with Vance holding a slight lead with 46% to Ryan's 45%