OH-02: New Poll Shows Wulsin and Schmidt Tied

Great news from the 2nd Congressional District! A new poll commissioned by challenger Dr. Victoria Wulsin (D-Indian Hill) shows the race in a statistical tie, with Wulsin gaining two points and incumbent Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) losing four since the last poll by this pollster (Momentum Analysis) in late June:

36% (33%) Wulsin (D)
37% (41%) Schmidt (R)
11% (6%) Krikorian (I)
16% (19%) Undecided

The pollster interviewed 400 likely voters on September 29-30, and the poll has a margin of error of 4.9%.

The pollster reports that while the district has a strong GOP lean (49% Republican, 34% Democratic), Wulsin has 81% support among Democrats while Schmidt is getting only 65% support among Republicans. Schmidt is far below majority support, indicating a high degree of vulnerability for an incumbent.

Wulsin spokesman Kevin Franck attributes the Democrat's strong showing to concern over the economy, with 85% of respondents in the poll indicating that they are worried that the economic crisis on Wall Street puts their families at risk:

“The economy is by far the most important issue on the minds of families in Southern Ohio and Jean Schmidt supports the same failed economic policies that have gotten us into this mess,” Franck said. “Jean Schmidt has been a part of the problem in Washington; Vic Wulsin will be a part of the solution.”

“Congresswoman Schmidt opposed tighter restrictions and oversight for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, both of whom failed and have already gotten billion dollar taxpayer bailouts, she voted against limiting high-cost mortgages for those who could not afford them and when she was in Columbus, she raised taxes on Ohio families just about every chance she got,” Franck said. “Vic Wulsin thinks it’s time to make government in Washington accountable to the people again.”

People are fed up with the disastrous economic policies of the Republican Party, even in a conservative area like OH-02, and Rep. Schmidt's erratic behavior and continual diesregard for the truth have been an embarrassment. Dr. Wulsin, who came within 2,500 votes of ousting Schmidt in 2006, has a real good chance of winning this race.