(Washington) - Senator Rob Portman says he won't run for another term, saying he's frustrated with the partisan gridlock on Capitol Hill.
The Cincinnati-area Republican has been in federal government for 30 years, now in his second term in the Senate. Before that, Portman served in the U.S. House. He has also been director of the Office of Management and Budget, U.S. Trade Representative, and White House Director of Legislative Affairs.
Portman says he plans to spend more time with family, and go hunting, fishing, and bicycling. He's not ruling out another run for public office, but says he'd more than likely be active in the private sector on public policy issues.
Already, political watchers are tossing out names of both Republicans and Democrats who may run for the office.
Republican names being discussed include U.S. Representatives Jim Jordan, Steve Stivers, and Mike Turner, Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, former state Treasurer Josh Mandel, State Republican Party Chair Jane Timken, and former U.S. Representative Jim Renacci. Cleveland businessman Mike Gibbons is also said to be interested.
Democrats who may run include U.S. Representative Tim Ryan, State House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, former Ohio Democratic Party Chair David Pepper, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, and Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein.
(Photo by Tom Williams, Pool Photo, provided by Getty Images)
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