Schmidt talking up money and internal poll as showing ‘commanding lead’

The campaign of U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) is talking up the findings of a Tarrance Group poll commissioned by the campaign, and a $40,000 cash on hand advantage in the race for Ohio's 2nd Congressional District.

The Schmidt campaign did not release exact figures from the internal poll, including margin of error, or number of voters questioned, but did say the poll took place October 12 and 13.

Schmidt spokesperson Bruce Pfaff said that as the election heads into the final weeks not much has changed.

"Congresswoman Schmidt continues to hold a big lead over her two opponents," Pfaff said. "The Congresswoman holds an impressive 14 point lead over her nearest rival. Further, we enter the final weeks with a significant cash advantage during a period where cash very much matters."

Dr. Victoria Wulsin (D-Indian Hill) spokesperson Kevin Franck questioned the numbers.

"First Jean Schmidt said she didn't know our economy was in crisis until just a few weeks ago, now she thinks she has a 14 point lead in this race," Franck said. "Maybe she has spent too much time in Washington and not enough time talking to families in the second district."

The latest FEC filings show that Schmidt has $346,501 cash on hand, compared to $304,798 cash on hand for Wulsin and $95,813 cash on hand for businessman David Krikorian (I-Madeira). The Schmidt campaign said that their cash advantage equates to nearly a week of television advertising.

Pfaff also hit Wulsin for the amount spent between the last filing and this one, estimating Wulsin's spending to be around $440,000 in July, August and September.

"It is borderline malpractice for a campaign to spend that much money before the battle," Pfaff said. "Her campaign seems message-less and clearly adrift. Wulsin's attack commercials have driven her own negatives up to record levels all the while Congresswoman Schmidt enjoys the record high approval ratings."

Franck pointed to Schmidt's FEC reports, which show just one staffer, David Ward, being paid consistently by the Schmidt campaign.

"It looks like Representative Schmidt was able to save some money by using her taxpayer-funded congressional staff to run her campaign," Franck said.

The Schmidt campaign said that their polling data revealed that "now some 41 percent of voters in the district hold negative views of Wulsin, while fewer than 31 percent rate her positively.

The Schmidt camp said that Krikorian was "hovering around" 10 percent.

"Her own advertising has made Victoria Wulsin the least popular candidate running in all of Southern Ohio," Pfaff said. "She has spent $440,000 to earn the title of least liked politician in our area. If she keeps this up with what little money she has left, she'll be competing for who comes in third with the ‘Independent.'"