Rob Portman to Run for US Senate

Release:

Cincinnati, OH - Rob Portman announced yesterday that he will seek the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by retiring U.S. Senator George Voinovich. Senator Voinovich recently announced that he would not be seeking a third term in 2010.

"My heart is in public service. Just as it was an honor to serve the people of Southern Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives for 12 years, so it would be an honor to serve all Ohioans in the U.S. Senate. At a difficult time in our state and national economy, I believe I can make a positive difference in the lives of people throughout Ohio."

"Senator Voinovich is one of the great public servants of our time. Ohio is a better place because of his more than 40 years of leadership and distinguished service. His countless contributions to our state and our nation will be felt for many generations to come. I have had the privilege of working closely with Senator Voinovich over the years, and I feel fortunate to call him my friend."

"Our economy is in crisis, and Ohio has been hit especially hard. We need proven leadership with a track record of cutting through partisan politics in Washington to address the many challenges we face. We can only restore Ohio's greatness if we enact common-sense policies and innovative solutions that will bring jobs and opportunities back to Ohio," Portman said.

Portman has a strong record of principled leadership and for getting things done to help people. During his time in Congress, he worked with Democratic and Republican administrations alike to enact key pieces of legislation he authored. He has demonstrated through his work in both the legislative and executive branches that he is able to reach across the aisle to achieve positive results.

"Over the past year or so, as I have traveled across the Buckeye State and listened to Ohioans talk about what matters most to them, I learned that we all have a lot in common -- strong family values, a solid work ethic, and a common sense approach to solving problems. We want more and better jobs, affordable health care, lower taxes and more responsive and efficient government, energy independence, and most importantly, a future for our children and grandchildren right here in Ohio. I am committed to working with all Ohioans to get our state back on the path to greatness," concluded Portman.

Portman is widely regarded as a fair-minded and skilled negotiator known for consistently and successfully delivering results on a wide range of issues. He has authored legislation that has strengthened retirement savings, simplified tax laws, reformed the IRS, reduced taxes for homeowners, improved drug prevention and education across Ohio and the nation, and brought creative, fiscally sound approaches to environmental conservation.

Throughout his career, Portman has been a champion for smaller, more responsive government, lower taxes, and pro-growth economic initiatives that create more jobs and opportunity.

As the nation's former trade negotiator, Portman opened new markets around the world for U.S. exports while increasing enforcement of trade laws. He is also regarded a no-nonsense budget hawk, and as Director of Office of Management and Budget, Portman instilled fiscal discipline, proposing a balanced budget and instituting greater transparency in how the government spends taxpayers money.

Portman is currently of counsel to Cleveland, Ohio-based law firm Squire, Sanders, and Dempsey. He is engaged in various community activities, including serving on the Board of The Coalition for a Drug Free Greater Cincinnati, which he founded 13 years ago, and The Nature Conservancy. He is also on the Advisory Board of The Ohio State University's Glenn School of Public Affairs, where he is co-teaching a course on innovation in the public sector. A fifth generation Ohioan, Rob was born and raised in Ohio and he and his wife, Jane, have always kept their home in Ohio. They live in Terrace Park, Ohio and have three children, Jed, Will, and Sally.