OH-12: New Special Election Poll

​Monmouth University conducted a new poll of the Ohio special congressional election to be decided on August 7th.  The survey (6/7-10; 501 OH-12 likely special election voters) finds state Sen. Troy Balderson (R-Zanesville) leading Franklin County Recorder Danny O’Conner (D), 43-33% with the Green Party candidate drawing 1%, and 21% saying they are still undecided. 
 
Sen. Balderson must secure the conservative/Republican base in order to put this race to bed.  In the May 8th primary, he scored just a one-point win over local official Melanie Leneghan despite having virtually the entire Ohio political establishment behind his candidacy.  The race still appears to be Sen. Balderson’s to lose, but now must be the time frame in which he clinches the special general election.  The 12th District congressional seat is open because Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-Gallatin/Franklin County) resigned the position in order to accept a job in the private sector.

--Jim Ellis