Ohio Senate: Fisher and Brunner Equally Strong Against Portman

A new Rasmussen poll shows Democratic Lt. Governor Lee Fisher and Sec. Of State Jennifer Brunner performing equally as well against likely Republican candidate Rob Portman in the race for the open Ohio senate seat. In both head-to-head match-ups, Portman leads the Democrat by four points. (Portman 43%, Fisher 39% compared to Portman 42%, Brunner 38%)

Fisher and Brunner are currently in a competitive primary, but Fisher has the clear fundraising edge.

Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner had about $61,000 on hand for her U.S. Senate campaign at the end of last year, compared with $1.8 million for her Democratic primary opponent, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, reports show.

Brunner's fourth-quarter report showed that she spent more than she raised during the quarter, $143,624 to $92,588. Fisher reported raising $780,000 during the last three months of the year.

With low funds and polls showing both Democrats having an equal chance of beating Portman, Brunner is at a disadvantage heading into the May 4th primary.

The Ohio senate race could be one of the few pieces of good news for Democrats in 2010. Across the board, most incumbent Democratic senate candidates are polling very badly. Even though both Democrats are behind Portman, the margin of Portman's lead is very small. Ohio, along with Missouri look to be Democrats, best hopes to take a seat currently held by a Republican.