President Donald Trump is currently struggling in Ohio, suggesting his path to a second term may be very difficult. No Republican has ever won the White House without Ohio, and only twice since 1896 has a Democrat become president without it. Trump himself has proclaimed that “you can’t win unless you win the state of Ohio.”
In the Great Lakes Poll of Ohio in March, Trump led Joe Biden 47% to 43%. But a month later, he trails the former vice president 45% to 44%. Support for Trump’s handling of the coronavirus crisis has dropped from 58% to 50%, and his favorability rating has dropped from 47% to 43%. Trump’s weakness in the Buckeye State is significant as many have considered Ohio safe territory for Trump in 2020.
Changing demographics, Trump’s 8-point margin of victory in 2016 and a strong showing among Ohio Republicans in 2018 led Priorities USA, one of the largest Democratic super PACs, to downgrade Ohio’s status to a second-tier target.
Bill
Article URL : https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/05/01/donald-trump-ohio-struggles-bad-omen-republicans-column/3058219001/