Once a swing state, does Ohio have any shades of purple left?

Once a Swing State, Does Ohio Have Any Shades of Purple Left?

A recent poll by the Bowling Green State University Democracy and Public Policy Research Network suggests next year’s midterm races in Ohio might be highly competitive.

Polling Overview

The poll surveyed 800 registered Ohio voters last month. It shows former Senator Sherrod Brown and current Senator Jon Husted are virtually tied in the race for Ohio’s U.S. Senate seat. In the governor's race, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy holds a narrow lead over former Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton and former U.S. official Ryan, who has not yet declared candidacy. All results fall within the poll's 4.5% margin of error.

“Ohio will certainly be on many people's minds this time next year,” said Robert Alexander, professor of political science at BGSU and one of the poll's researchers.

Voter Sentiment and Economy

The poll reveals a declining approval rating for President Donald Trump among Ohio voters, a trend typical for the president’s party during midterm elections.

“That might explain a little bit of what we’re seeing here,” Alexander noted.

Economic concerns weigh heavily on Ohioans. A year ago, voters focused on specific issues like the rising price of eggs. Now, 56% of Ohioans view the national economy negatively compared to the previous year.

“A year ago, this was the big question: Who's going to bring down the price of eggs? And today, we see that 56% of all Ohioans are looking at the state of the country's economy and not feeling better about it than they did a year ago,” Alexander explained.

Summary

Ohio remains a closely contested political battleground with voter concerns centered on economic challenges and shifting support for key candidates.

Author's Note

This poll highlights Ohio's ongoing political volatility, reflecting voter unease about the economy and uncertain leadership choices ahead of the midterms.

The Statehouse News Bureau — 2025-11-04