One year before Ohio voters decide whether or not to re-elect Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland, less than half of them approve of his job performance, according to a survey conducted Oct. 14-20 by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati.

According to the survey, 48 percent of respondents said they approve of Strickland's performance as governor and 37 percent said they disapprove. Six months ago, Strickland's numbers were 56 percent approve and 34 percent disapprove.

Barely two in five respondents (41 percent) said they approve of Strickland's handling of the economy, compared to 49 percent who said they disapprove.

Just over a year before the Ohio gubernatorial election, Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland is virtually tied with his likely Republican opponent, former Rep. John Kasich, according to a University of Cincinnati Ohio Poll conducted Oct. 14-16.

Strickland was favored for re-election by 48 percent of the registered voters responding to the survey, while 47 percent said they would vote for Kasich to unseat him.

Strickland, also a former member of Congress, was elected governor as Ohio -- along with much of the industrial Midwest -- was heading into a recession that has been especially hard on heavy manufacturing.