Now that the debates are over, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown and Republican state Treasurer Josh Mandel are blanketing the state for a final pitch to voters in a race that appears to be tightening.

A Dayton Daily News/Ohio Newspaper Organization Poll of likely voters shows Brown leads Mandel statewide by just four points — after trailing by nine in September. The poll found Brown was ahead in three of four major regions, while Mandel leads by nine points in traditionally-conservative southwest Ohio.

The city of Dayton usually backs Democrats, but that didn’t stop Mandel and Gov. John Kasich from having lunch Monday with five citizens at the Amber Rose restaurant.

“The election’s going well,” Mandel said,

later sounding themes he has repeated throughout his campaign — that he would bring a fresh voice to Washington and would work across party lines to cut through gridlock. He and Kasich said independent voters are increasingly throwing their support behind the Republican candidate.

Mandel spokesman Travis Considine said Mandel had planned to join Mitt Romney and and Rep. Paul Ryan at events this week but that could change as Hurricane Sandy scrambles schedules. Mandel was with Romney and Ryan at events over the weekend in New Philadelphia, Zanesville and Marion.

Time is running out for fresh messages from the candidates, so these visits are more about reaching to the base and appealing to any remaining undecided voters.

Brown kicked off a week-long statewide tour on Friday in Cincinnati, traveling with a caravan of made-in-Ohio cars to highlight his support for the auto industry bailout. Brown’s “Road to Ohio Jobs Tour” traveled through Springfield, Columbus, Toledo, Cleveland and stopped in Athens and Chillicothe on Monday. Brown plans to end the tour in Dayton.

Brown spokeswoman Sadie Weiner said the campaign is targeting all voters, regardless of where they live or what party they vote for.

“Sherrod’s going to continue traveling to every part of the state and continue talking about his work to help the auto industry and how he’s worked to level the playing field in China,” Weiner said. “Middle class Ohioans understand they have a champion in Sherrod, that they have someone who’s been looking out for their interests whether they live in southwest Ohio or northeast Ohio.”

Dan Birdsong, political scientist at the University of Dayton, said Mandel may need Romney more than Brown needs President Barack Obama. The Ohio newspaper poll had the presidential candidates in a dead heat while Brown — though still in a tight battle — climbed above 50 percent with a 51-47 percent lead over Mandel.

“With Brown breaking the 50 percent mark, Brown doesn’t need the coattails of the presidential ticket like Mandel does,” Birdsong said. “[Mandel] would get more eyeballs on him at those events than if he’s trying to compete with those events.”

Mandel chose to unveil policy plans in Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland. Birdsong said Mandel is smart to campaign in southwest Ohio because his strongest support is there and Cincinnati and Dayton have relevant populations and fairly large media markets.