The distance between the candidates vying to represent Ohio in the United States Senate is widening. The most recent Rasmussen Reports election survey shows Democrat Sherrod Brown taking firmer control of the race with a 53% to 41% lead over incumbent U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine.

When leaners are taken into account, Brown leads 54% to 43% (see crosstabs).

The momentum at this crucial late stage of the race clearly belongs to Brown. His numbers have taken a seven-point jump since the last poll conducted in mid-October while DeWine’s remain unchanged.

Rasmussen Reports is shifting this race from “Leans Democrat” to “Democrat” in our Senate Balance of Power summary

Brown also has a strong base vote working in his favor; 93% of Democrats say they plan to vote for him. DeWine is attracting just 76% of Republicans.

Forty-two percent (42%) of voters say they’re “certain” to vote for Brown and slightly more than one-third (35%) are just as confident in their votes for DeWine. Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Brown’s votes are supporting him as their candidate of choice and 35% simply want to vote against the incumbent. Fifty-five percent (55%) of DeWine’s supporters are casting positive votes for him and 39% are supporting the incumbent to vote against Brown.

More than half of the voters surveyed (53%) report an unfavorable opinion of DeWine with 25% holding a very unfavorable opinion of him. At the opposite extreme, 16% have a “very favorable” views of their Senator.

For Brown, 28% have a “very favorable” opinion while 20% hold a “very unfavorable” view.

Fifty-two percent (52%) of Ohio voters report following campaign news “everyday.” A slightly higher majority (54%) rates the situation in Iraq as “poor.” Voters fall in two distinct camps regarding Iraq’s role in the War on Terror; 46% say it’s part of the war and 45% say it’s a distraction. Forty-four percent (44%) say they trust Republicans to handle the Iraq situation more than Democrats (43%.)

In the Buckeye State’s less competitive gubernatorial race, Ted Strickland (D) leads Ken Blackwell (R) 58% to 36%. Nearly one-third of voters (32%) feel very favorably toward Strickland; 19% say the same of Blackwell. Looking at the negative ratings, Blackwell’s “very unfavorable” scores are 20 points higher than Strickland’s (38% to 18%.)

Outgoing Republican Gov. Bob Taft’s numbers continue their free-fall as he prepares to leave office. Eighty-one percent (81%) of voters disapprove of his job performance and 58% “strongly disapprove.” Sixteen percent (16%) approve with just a handful (3%) indicating strong approval.

Crosstabs available for Premium Members only.