Ohio’s Rob Portman is taking a step back from Washington, D.C. politics as he announced Monday he will not be seeking re-election.
Politico first reported the news:
Ohio Republican Rob Portman will not seek a third Senate term in 2022, a blow to Republicans’ hopes of taking back the Senate.
The two-term senator said that the legislative paralysis in the Senate was a major factor in his decision to retire at the end of next year.
“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 said in a statement.
Portman easily won reelection in 2016.
Republicans were caught off guard by Portman’s announcement. After learning of his decision Senator Lindsey Graham complimented Portman’s character and reflected that his absence will be a major blow to the party.
Very, very sad to see that @senrobportman is not seeking reelection.
Rob is one of the smartest, most sincere members of the Senate that I have ever known.
This will be a major blow to the Senate as well as the Republican Party.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 25, 2021
RELATED: Watch Sen. Portman commend the law enforcement officers who helped protect the Capitol.
[jwplayer bW7sShEn-lzmB6GEw]
