Ohio Gov. John Kasich has commanding leads over the two 2016 Democratic presidential candidates in his home state, according to polling released Wednesday that showed the other GOP candidates in much tighter races in the all-important Buckeye State.
Mr. Kasich led former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton by 17 points, 54 percent to 37 percent, and Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont by 19 points, 54 percent to 35 percent, according to the Quinnipiac poll.
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida led Mrs. Clinton by 5 points, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas led her by 3 points, and GOP front-runner Donald Trump led her by 2 points.
Mr. Rubio led Mr. Sanders by 2 points, Mr. Trump and Mr. Sanders were tied, and Mr. Sanders led Mr. Cruz by 2 points.
“The four leading Republican candidates either tie or lead former Secretary Clinton in Ohio, considered the best microcosm of the national electorate and a must-win for the GOP. Republicans have never won the White House without carrying Ohio,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. “Sen. Bernie Sanders, meanwhile, fares only slightly better against the Republicans.”
Among likely Republican primary voters, Mr. Trump actually led Mr. Kasich in the GOP nomination contest, 31 percent to 26 percent. Mrs. Clinton led Mr. Sanders by 15 points, 55 percent to 40 percent, among likely Democratic voters.
Among voters overall in the state, Mr. Kasich had a positive 56 percent favorability rating, compared to 28 percent who said they have an unfavorable view. Mr. Sanders had a 44 percent/41 percent split and Mr. Rubio had a 36 percent/34 percent split.
The other candidates were underwater, with Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton faring the worst on favorability.
Mr. Cruz had a 34 percent/46 percent split, while Mrs. Clinton had a 37 percent/57 percent split and Mr. Trump had a 35 percent/59 percent split.
“The face-off in Ohio between the two front-runners, former Secretary Clinton and businessman Donald Trump is too close to call,” Mr. Brown said. “Despite their delegate leads in their respective nomination fights, these leaders find themselves with similarly strongly negative net favorability ratings, much more so than any other Democratic or Republican contender.”
The survey was taken from Feb. 16-20. Mr. Trump picked up a win in South Carolina on Feb. 20 and Mrs. Clinton defeated Mr. Sanders in Nevada on the same day.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.