Cincinnati, OH – Rob Portman announced today 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.