The latest Rasmussen Reports poll of Ohio's U.S. Senate race shows that Democratic Congressman Sherrod Brown has added a couple more points to a growing lead over Republican Senator Mike DeWine. He now bests the incumbent 49% to 41% (see crosstabs).

Our previous poll showed Brown leading 47% to 41%. The Democratic challenger has gained support among voters in each of the last four polls. He has been ahead in all four and, for the second survey in a row, that lead is greater than five points.

Although Senator DeWine enjoyed a narrow edge early in the year, he has been gradually losing ground since May.

We continue to list this race as “Leans Democrat” for our Senate Balance of Power summary.

The current poll was conducted shortly after a televised debate in which Brown criticized DeWine, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, for his support of the Iraq War. The economy was also discussed. DeWine faulted Brown for voting against President Bush's tax cuts. Brown in turn faulted DeWine for supporting free trade agreements that, he said, had drained thousands of jobs from the state.

Brown also jabbed at the incumbent for being part of Ohio's corrupt GOP "political machine." Recent corruption scandals have torpedoed Governor Bob Taft's approval ratings, and Democrats are hoping that the public's impulse to throw the bums out will extend to the U.S. Senate seat. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of Ohio voters consider reigning in government corruption a very important issue for the upcoming election.

This poll was also conducted as the Foley story dominated national political coverage. By a 3-to-1 margin Americans believe that the Republican leadership has been protecting Foley for years.

The Senator might derive some comfort from the fact that his support is closer to Brown's among voters certain of whom they'll pick in November. Thirty-five percent (35%) of all voters are certain they'll stick with the incumbent; 36% are certain they'll stick with Brown. That does provide a potential opening.

Brown does better with his Democratic base (86%) than DeWine does with Republicans (73%).

Crosstabs are available for Premium Members.