Candidates for Ohio’s Democratic Senate primary are trying to raise big bucks without jeopardizing their cultivated images as Washington outsiders.
“The majority of Ohioans view the policies coming out of D.C. as hurting Ohioans’ jobs,” said John Collins, campaign manager for Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher. “The number one issue here is jobs. Jobs and getting people back to work.”
A new Quinnipiac University poll of state Democrats shows Fisher leading Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner 33-26, with 40 percent of voters undecided for the May 4 primary. The same poll shows that only 44 percent of voters want a senator who supports President Obama’s policies.
Will Miller, professor of political science at Ohio University, said that anti-Obama sentiment could get Brunner’s name onto the Democratic ticket.
“Most Ohioans are familiar with Lee Fisher and have established feelings one way or the other,” Miller said. “Brunner, on the other hand, still stands to be able to pull voters to her side.”
The problem for Brunner is that outsider status doesn’t bring in the cash. She has spent heavily to stay competitive and now has only $61,000 in the bank, as opposed to Fisher’s $1.8 million. Either candidate will face a tough campaign against the GOP candidate, Rob Portman, a former Cincinnati-area congressman and budget director to President George W. Bush. Portman, unopposed in his party’s primary, carries a comfortable $7.5 million into his November campaign.
National Democrats seem to be banking on Fisher surviving the race. Former President Clinton tried to boost Fisher’s fundraising this week with an e-mail to supporters.
“The money matters — especially when the difference is this great. Fisher has a professional campaign team, using a lot of Chris Dodd’s buddies, and Brunner is stuck relying on volunteers,” Miller said.
Collins said that despite his national backing, Fisher could still draw a distinction between himself and Portman in a general election matchup.
“The majority of people recognize that Wall Street, D.C. and George Bush are responsible for the economic mess facing the country,” Collins said. “Meanwhile, Lee has been on the ground in Ohio.”
