POLL: Brown leading DeWine

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) released a new poll today – one day after Democratic Senate candidate Paul Hackett of Indian Hill bowed out of the race – showing Democratic Rep. Sherrod Brown of northern Ohio leading Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Cedarville, in the Senate race 44 percent to 41 percent.

"Mike DeWine is vulnerable and Sherrod Brown can beat him," DSCC spokesman Phil Singer said.

The poll was conducted by Hart Research from Feb. 2-7 and included a survey of 502 Ohio general election voters. The DSCC did not immediately respond to an e-mail asking what the margin of error was for the poll.

Here's the question folks were asked:

QUESTION: Suppose the candidates for this November's general election for United States senator were Sherrod Brown, the Democrat, and Mike DeWine, the Republican. If the election were held today, for whom would you vote – Sherrod Brown or Mike DeWine? (IF "NOT SURE," ASK:) Well, as of right now, do you lean more toward Brown or more toward DeWine?

Sherrod Brown…...………41
Sherrod Brown (lean)……3
Mike DeWine………..…....38
Mike DeWine (lean)……....3
Neither/other (VOL)…..…7
Not sure………………...........8