Poll: Kasich Opens 8-Point Lead in Ohio

Republican candidate John Kasich has opened up an eight-point lead over Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland as the race to become the next governor of Ohio heads for the home stretch, according to a new Ohio Poll released Friday. Kasich, who lead by four percentage points a month ago in a similar poll conducted by the Ohio Newspaper Organization, now leads Strickland 51 percent to 43 percent, with just 6 percent undecided.

In what’s turning out to be a one-way race to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich, R-Ohio, Republican Rob Portman finds himself enjoying a huge lead over Democratic challenger Lee Fisher, 58 percent to 36 percent, the poll also showed.

"This current snapshot of the Ohio electorate finds that as of mid-October 2010, the tide has turned,” the pollsters said in a release. “Self-identified Republicans now hold an advantage over Democrats in both excitement and turnout intent, resembling advantages Democrats held in 2008. Some of this excitement is fueled by 'Tea Party' supporters, most of who favor Republican candidates and self-identify more closely with Republicans than Democrats."