DAYTON, OH (WDTN) – A new poll shows Republican Senator Rob Portman leading democratic candidate Ted Strickland in the race for the U.S Senate, despite Republican Donald Trump trailing Democrat Hillary Clinton in Ohio.

A new Monmouth University poll puts Republican Senator Rob Portman ahead of former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland by 8 points. That lead is holding strong despite the wavering support of Donald Trump by Ohio republicans.

Experts we spoke with say Portman is at an advantage when it comes to fundraising. Much of the money that would be used to back Donald Trump in Ohio is instead being put toward Portman’s campaign according to experts.

The biggest challenge facing U.S. Senate candidates on the Republican side is appealing to both the establishment and split ticket voters.

“A number of candidates across the country for U.S. Senate are in between a rock and a hard place,” Wright State Political Science Professor Lee Hannah said. “Right now, they need the base support. They need Republicans who are voting for Trump. But as Trump lags behind by double digits in some states like New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, they also need split tickets voters.”

Wright State Political Science Professor Lee Hannah says Labor Day will be turning point for both elections. He says after that, there will be much less fluctuation in the polls.