If a new poll from Wenzel Strategies is any indication, David Pepper is going to have to spend a lot more of his family’s fortune if he wants a shot at winning the Ohio Auditor’s race.
Wenzel Strategies conducted a telephone survey of likely voters statewide in Ohio to gauge voter sentiment of the race for Auditor of State. The poll was conducted June 30-July 1, 2010, and included 597 respondents. The survey carries a margin of error of +/- 3.99 percentage points.
Republican Dave Yost of Delaware County maintains a double-digit lead over Democrat David Pepper of Hamilton County, our recent survey of likely voters statewide in Ohio shows. This lead for Yost stands among those who are firmly committed in their choice for state auditor (Yost leads Pepper 32% to 22% among “firm” voters) and among all voters, including those who are leaning toward supporting one of the candidates but who could change their minds before voting.
Among all voters, Yost leads Pepper by a 46% to 28% margin.
Now we all know David Pepper, a county commissioner from down in Cincy, has far more cash than Dave Yost.
But until he starts to spend enough of it to increase his profile and cause enough damage to Yost to combat the oncoming GOP wave, that doesn’t matter much.
Yost seems to be benefiting from a high profile primary that helped inform voters of his background as a county auditor and prosecutor. And of course, it doesn’t hurt to be a Republican running for a job focused on fiscal responsibility in a year like this.
If this poll is accurate, Pepper will need to start spending money fast if he wants to make a dent before the onslaught of higher profile races dominate the airwaves.
At worst, this poll shows this race is the GOP’s to lose.
Considering this job is vital to control of the State Apportionment Board which redraws state legislative districts next year, let’s hope contributors are listening.
