Democratic Congressman Sherrod Brown now leads by five percentage points over Republican Senator Mike DeWine in Ohio's competitive U.S. Senate race. The latest Rasmussen Reports election poll shows Brown with 46% and DeWine with 41% (see crosstabs).

When “leaners” are included, it’s Brown by six, 48% to 42%. Leaners are those who don’t initially express support for either candidate but then express a preference on a follow-up question.

Brown had a five point lead in September. At that time, Rasmussen Reports moved Ohio from "Toss-Up" to "Leans Democrat" in our Senate Balance of Power summary, where it remains. Only three seats are still in the "Toss-Up" column: Missouri and Tennessee, now held by Republicans; and New Jersey, held by a Democrat.

The challenger was never David, and the incumbent was never Goliath. But Senator DeWine did lead by a couple points in early surveys. Then, in May of this year, Brown wrested a three-point lead. DeWine lurched ahead again in June, but has lagged in each of our polls since then.

The current poll is the second in a row in which Brown has led by more than the poll's margin of error.

The candidates recently sparred in their second debate, focusing on economic topics. Brown proclaimed his friendliness toward the middle class and stressed his opposition to free-trade agreements supported by DeWine. DeWine decried his opponent as a fringe liberal candidate weak on national defense.

Brown has slightly higher favorability numbers than DeWine. He also attracts a higher anti-other-guy vote. Forty-nine percent (49%) of his supporters regard their vote as primarily "for Brown"; 39% are "against DeWine." Among the incumbent's supporters, 68% are "for DeWine" and 26% are "against Brown."

It's not a fun environment right now for GOP candidates in Ohio. Ohio Congressman Bob Ney's influence-peddling recently topped the national news again. And indicted Governor Bob Taft's job approval rating is still in the dumpster, with only 26% of likely voters reporting any approval. Just 5% “strongly approve” of his performance while 48% "strongly disapprove."

The campaign to select Ohio’s next Governor is far less competitive than the Senate race.

Crosstabs available for Premium Members only.