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Strickland Hits Portman Over Trump VP Consideration

Trump campaign says Ohio senator is a potential running mate

Ohio Sen. Rob Portman is being considered as a potential running mate for Donald Trump. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Ohio Sen. Rob Portman is being considered as a potential running mate for Donald Trump. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland is making the most of the Trump campaign’s interest in Sen. Rob Portman as Donald Trump’s running mate.  

Strickland hit his Republican opponent in the Ohio Senate race after CNN reported that Portman was among those the presumptive GOP nominee is thinking about for vice president.  

“It’s no surprise that Donald Trump wants Sen. Portman to be his vice president because on many issues Trump and Portman share the same toxic agenda,” Strickland spokeswoman Liz Margolis said in a statement. “And by refusing to do his job and consider the Supreme Court nominee, Portman has also made it clear that he’s happy to let Trump reshape the Supreme Court for generations.”  

Portman had previously said he would support Trump if he were the Republican nominee, although he also said he continued to back Gov. John Kasich on Wednesday before his fellow Ohioan dropped out of the White House campaign later that day.  

Corry Bliss, Portman’s campaign manager, swatted down the idea.  

“It’s not happening, period,” Bliss said in a statement. “Rob is not interested in anything but continuing to serve Ohio in the U.S. Senate.”  

Trump also told CNN on Wednesday that he would be interested in vetting Kasich for the No. 2 spot on the ticket, a job Kasich has said he has no interest in.  

Ohio again figures to play prominently in the November election, and Trump was second to favorite son Kasich in the primary.  

Contact Garcia at EricGarcia@cqrollcall.com and follow him on Twitter @EricMGarcia.

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