J.D. Vance, Tim Ryan in dead heat in Ohio U.S. Senate race with two weeks until the election, new polls show

This combination of photos shows Ohio Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, on March 28, 2022, in Wilberforce, Ohio, left, and Republican candidate JD Vance on Aug. 5, 2022, in Dallas.

Two new polls show Republican J.D. Vance and Democrat Tim Ryan in a close race for Ohio's U.S. Senate seat.

According to a survey by Spectrum News and Siena College, the candidates are in a close race. According to a separate poll, Vance and Ryan were tied at 45%.

The Senate race in Ohio is one of a number of contests that will decide the balance of power in the Senate. Republicans would gain control of the chamber if Portman were to retire.

The Siena College poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 5.1percentage points. The survey was conducted from October 17 to October 20.

Ryan was supported by the same number of likely voters in both polls. His support in the Siena poll went up by 3 percentage points, but it went down by 1 percentage point in the Marist poll.

Both polls show that women and men prefer the same person. Ryan was favored by women in the Siena poll by a margin of 42% to 42%. According to the Siena poll, men preferred Vance by a 45% to 42% margin.

Abortion may be a factor in the tight race. When the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion in June, voters took notice.

Lindsey Graham of South Carolina proposed a national ban on abortion after 15 weeks. He will support Graham's bill.

The economy has overtaken abortion as the top issue for voters. Voters were not asked about issues.

40% of voters said inflation was the most important issue for them to vote on in the election. Preserving democracy was the top issue for 20% of respondents.

Outside groups have aided the Republican in closing the gap.

Going into October, Ryan had over $1 million in cash on hand. In the third quarter, the company raised $6 million and had $3.4 million on hand.

According to data from Open Secrets, the Senate Leadership Fund has poured over twenty million dollars into the race.

The Republican groups Protect Ohio Values, Club for Growth, USA Freedom Fund and Ohio Leads have all contributed to the race. The Save America Fund is the largest donor on the Democratic side.

According to data from Ad Impact, outside groups have reserved $7.9 million in ads for the election. More than $400,000 worth of ads have been booked.

Outside groups have put aside more than $3 million for Ryan's campaign.