Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman annouced Monday morning he will not seeking re-election in 2022. Saying in a statement that the ‘partisan gridlock in Washington’ contributed to his decision.
“I feel fortunate to have been entrusted by the people of Ohio to represent them in the US Senate. Today, I am announcing that I have made a decision not to run again in 2022,” Sen. Portman said in a statement.
“I don’t think any Senate office has been more successful in getting things done, but honestly, it has gotten harder and harder to break through the partisan gridlock and make progress on substantive policy, and that has contributed to my decision,” he added.
Portman’s decision to not run in 2022 will ignite a tightly contested race for the soon-to-be open Senate seat in the battleground state.
“Senator Portman has worked tirelessly on behalf of Ohioans during his two terms in the United States Senate. Senator Portman has been a key partner on helping Ohio with federal COVID-19 relief and other pandemic-related issues,” said Governor Mike DeWine in a statement. “Senator Portman and I have had similar policy priorities to help Ohio families, from tackling the Opioid crisis and the scourge of human trafficking to protecting Lake Erie and Ohio’s other natural wonders. Fran and I wish Rob and Jane and their family the best in their future endeavors.”