Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) is leading the GOP’s 2016 presidential field among Buckeye State voters, according to a new poll.
Public Policy Polling (PPP) released a survey on Wednesday that shows Kasich leading the field of likely Republican presidential candidates in his home state.
It said that 19 percent of Ohio’s Republicans support Kasich, if he chooses to make a bid for White House next year.
The poll showed his nearest competitors — Gov. Scott Walker (Wis.) and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson — each with 13 percent of voters’ support.
Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio were next, with the two Florida politicians tying at 12 percent each, according to the survey.
Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (Ark.) then took 6 percent, Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) 5 percent and Gov. Chris Christie (N.J.) 4 percent, it added.
The survey also found that 72 percent of Republicans in the state approve of his gubernatorial performance, while 17 percent do not.
PPP also sampled Ohio’s Democrats for their thoughts on 2016 in the survey.
It said that Hillary Clinton remains the party’s clear favorite among Ohio Democrats, taking 61 percent of support there.
Sen. Bernie Sanders is next, nabbing 13 percent of Ohio’s Democratic voters.
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg then took 7 percent, former Govs. Lincoln Chafee (R.I.) and Martin O’Malley (Md.) 2 percent each and former Sen. Jim Webb (Va.) earned 1 percent.
PPP’s latest sampling also found that Kasich would best Clinton in a hypothetical general election.
He would win 47 percent to Clinton’s 40, it said.
PPP said that Kasich edges Clinton given 89 percent of Ohio Republicans support him.
In contrast, it added, 75 percent of Buckeye Democrats back Clinton.