Portman-Strickland race remains tight

A new poll this week showed former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leading real estate tycoon and reality TV star Donald Trump among Ohio’s voters.

The survey, conducted by Public Policy Polling and released Wednesday, found the Democratic candidate had 44 percent of the state’s voters, compared to 40 percent for Trump.

The poll of 708 Ohio voters was conducted from June 22-23

The previous survey from the firm, taken in April, showed Clinton leading Trump, 45 to 42 percent.

PPP also looked at the race for Ohio’s U.S. Senate seat, testing a match-up between incumbent Republican Rob Portman and Democratic former Gov. Ted Strickland, and found Portman leading, 40-39 percent.

The firm’s April poll found both candidates tied, with 38 percent in each.

Ohio is considered a battleground state in the general election, with the state’s electoral votes being courted heavily by both parties and the Senate seat a key component in efforts to control the chamber.

A Quinnipiac poll, released last week, found both races tied.