OHIO POLL: BLACKWELL CLOSES GAP ON STRICKLAND

From www.KenBlackwell.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 25, 2006

COLUMBUS The University of Cincinnati Ohio Poll released today shows Republican gubernatorial nominee Ken Blackwell significantly closing the gap on his Democrat opponent, Congressman and former psychologist Ted Strickland. Blackwell trails Strickland by only six points with a 3.7 percent poll margin of error. Previous general election polling had Strickland with a double-digit lead.

"Voters are responding to Ken Blackwell's leadership and his ability to work with the Ohio General Assembly to pass tough state government spending controls," said Blackwell campaign chair Lara Mastin. "Ohioans will continue to rally around Ken Blackwell once they become aware of Ted Strickland's inexperience, out of touch voting record and inability to get things done."

Strickland is unable to secure a commanding lead despite a $4 million onslaught of negative advertising against Blackwell during the primary election. In addition, Strickland spent $1.5 million in positive advertising during the same time period.

"Ted Strickland is a classic Washington D.C. tax and spend liberal who has built a career voting for tax increases and against tax cuts," added Mastin. "Ohioans want a leader who will control government spending, cut taxes and create jobs."

Strickland had led Blackwell by 16 percentage points in the nonpartisan Rasmussen Reports poll take on May 8 and by 10 percentage points in the Plain Dealer Mason Dixon poll taken April 24-26.

The Ohio Poll was conducted from May 9 through May 21 with a random sample of 698 registered voters.

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