Portman said he plans to listen to evidence and do his duty as a juror in the Trump impeachment trial in the Senate. He added, “I’m going to focus on what is the best thing to bring America back together....I think it’s perfectly acceptable to consider as one of the factors what would be best to heal the country.”
In replacing Portman, Republican primary voters may likely pick the most conservative candidate running. Portman said he will not consider stepping down early so that Gov. Mike DeWine may appoint someone, who would then have the advantage of incumbency.
“No. I’m doing my job,” Portman said.
When asked about the potential of extreme candidates winning the nomination on either side, Portman said there are great Republican contenders “who can step forward who share my views about the fact that when you get elected to office, your job is to get things done....I’m optimistic we’ll get somebody to step up who takes that point of view.”
Trump won Ohio by 8 percentage points in 2016 and 2020 and Republicans made gains elsewhere across the state.
“I think Republicans have a leg up. In other words, I think it’s more likely that it’ll be a Republican elected in the general election. That’s just who we are as a state now,” Portman said.
Although his announcement makes him a “lame duck,” Portman asserted that he will focus all his energy on legislation and addressing serious issues. “In the next two years, I’m here so you’re going to have to continue to put up with me,” he said.
I want to thank my amazing staff in #Ohio and in DC. We have the best team in the Senate and I’m proud of what we have achieved together on opioids, the economy, trafficking & much more. Looking forward to the next two years.
— Rob Portman (@senrobportman) January 25, 2021
Portman has spent nearly three decades in public posts.
Portman, 65, was first elected to the post in 2010 and re-elected in 2016, defeating former governor Ted Strickland. He also served in the U.S. House from 1993 to 2005 and in the George W. Bush administration as trade representative and budget director from 2005 to 2007.
Democrats considering running for Portman’s seat include U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of the Mahoning Valley and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley. Whaley said she has “received a lot of encouragement” since Portman’s announcement and that she is considering running for Senate or governor.
Republicans have a longer list of potential contenders, including U.S. Reps. Jim Jordan of Urbana, Warren Davidson of Troy and Mike Turner of Dayton; Lt. Gov. Jon Husted; former Ohio treasurer Josh Mandel; Ohio Republican Party Chairman Jane Timken; former Congressman Jim Renacci; and more.
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