COLUMBUS, Ohio – The recent flap over her use of a private email account while she was Secretary of State has had little impact on what Ohio voters think of likely Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, according to the latest poll from Quinnipiac University.
The Swing State Poll — which surveys voters in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida – showed 47 percent of Buckeye State voters consider Clinton honest and trustworthy, while 46 percent say they do not.
Clinton’s 51-43 percent favorability rating, however, is virtually unchanged from the Feb. 3 survey.
A large majority – 61 percent – say Clinton’s email controversy will not affect their vote and, while 52 percent say there are lingering questions about it, 54 percent also think it is politically motivated.
“Something for Secretary Clinton’s team to worry about. Thirty-six percent of independent voters in the key state of Ohio say they are less likely to vote for her because of the e-mail controversy,” Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Poll, said.
The poll shows Clinton’s margins over her potential Republican opponents narrowing, but she still leads the field. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul trails Clinton by only 5 points (46-41 percent), compared with 48-36 percent in February.
Clinton’s leads over the rest of the anticipated GOP field:
45-39% over New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (47-34% Feb.3)
47-38% over former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (47-36% Feb. 3)
47-38% percent over Florida Sen. Marco Rubio
49-39% over former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (49-34% Feb. 3)
48-38% over Texas Sen Ted Cruz
49-38% over Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
“Secretary Clinton is considered a strong leader – a key characteristic for voters when picking a president, more so than her leading, but lesser-known, potential GOP opponents. But about half the voters in all. “But about half the voters in all three states question her honesty and trustworthiness,.” Brown said.
The telephone survey was conducted from March 17-28 and has a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.