COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio officials are preparing to release unemployment figures for September, the last update on job numbers that the swing state's voters will see before the election.
The figures include statewide labor force data and the unemployment rate, which has remained at 7.2 percent for three consecutive months.
The state's rate has been at its lowest level since 2008, and has remained below the national rate.
The U.S. unemployment rate tumbled to 7.8 percent in September from 8.1 percent in August.
Gov. John Kasich (KAY'-sihk) downplayed Ohio's job numbers last month, warning of a possible economic slowdown.
As a supporter of GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, Kasich faces the political dilemma of promoting the state's recovery as a model while saying Obama administration policies are holding Ohio back.
