WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a campaign season with broad presidential implications, Democrats are working to undercut Ohio’s John Kasich and other prominent Republican governors who expect to use November’s midterm elections as launching pads for presidential campaigns in 2016.
Democrats have already sought to tarnish New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie as he deals with home-state scandals. They hope to extend the scrutiny to Kasich and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. All three are potential contenders for the GOP presidential nomination.
Democrats have few opportunities to improve their numbers in the Senate and House, but leaders in both parties acknowledge that Democrats have a natural advantage in races for governor.
Republicans have to defend 22 of the 36 seats up for election, including six in states that President Barack Obama carried twice: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, Wisconsin and Maine.
A Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday shows Kasich trailing likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by 12 points in Ohio, a key swing state and bellwether in presidential elections.
Only Wisconsin Congressman and 2012 vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan showed better in a head-to-head matchup with the former Secretary of State, trailing her by nine points.