COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — One day before Ohio’s Republican primary for U.S. Senate, a new poll found one candidate with a surge in support.
An Emerson College poll, sponsored by NBC4 parent company Nexstar, showed that businessman Bernie Moreno has taken a nine-point lead in Ohio’s race for the Republican nomination to face incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown. Just one day before votes will be cast, 21% of voters remained undecided.
When asked to choose between Moreno, state Sen. Matt Dolan, and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, respondents favored Moreno at 38%, Dolan was within the 4.6% credibility interval at 29%, and LaRose saw only 12% support.
The results break from polling released less than a week ago that showed Dolan, once the candidate in last place, taking a slight lead over Moreno. But the race remains a close one, with undecided voters’ likely choices narrowing the race between Moreno and Dolan.
The Emerson College poll found that the economy was the most important issue for Republican primary voters, with 37% of respondents citing it as their top priority. Immigration and threats to democracy were next, with 29% and 14% respectively.
Moreno led the poll among voters who cited the economy as their top issue with 37% to Dolan’s 23% and LaRose’s 15%. The Cleveland area multimillionaire also led voters concerned about immigration at 49% to Dolan’s 22% and LaRose’s 7%.
The Emerson College poll was conducted on March 17 and 18, in the two days before the primary. The sample consisted of 450 likely Republican primary voters.
The window for early voting closed at 5 p.m. Sunday, leaving only voting by mail or in person on the day of. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by March 18 and received by March 23. Polls open Tuesday at 6:30 a.m., and close at 7:30 p.m.