Well, the good ole Columbus Dispatch has its first poll of the OH guv race (www.dispatch.com, registration required). Doesn't look pretty for the Republicans, as Kenny Blackwell leads by double digits and only 34% of their voters are undecided.
Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman and Congressman Ted Strickland are tied statistically (19% Coleman, 22% Strickland, 55% undecided, +/-4.5% margin of error).
Coleman leads in Central and NW Ohio. Strickland leads in SE, SW, and NE Ohio.
The most interesting finding is the low union household support for Strickland, who supposedly has that constituency locked. A full 64% of union households are undecided -- 9 points higher than the average for undecideds in other households.
Also crucial is the fact that nonstop campaigning hasn't moved Ted's numbers beyond the previous Dispatch name ID poll. The rumor is that the Congressman wants to "clear the field" by November. Ain't gonna happen, especially with these numbers.
Bottom line -- this is still a very competitive race between two qualified candidates. And it will last through a great primary vote in May. Whoever does the best job reaching out to real voters -- not just the political elite -- will make great gains by the end of the year.