Sen. Rob Portman’s campaign on Tuesday unveiled a new digital attack ad against Democratic opponent Ted Strickland, accusing the former governor of cutting spending on higher education.  

The ad is part of an ongoing, six-figure buy from the Ohio Republican’s campaign, which has combined with allies like the Chamber of Commerce to spend heavily against Strickland in the early going of their marquee matchup.  

The online spot says that as governor , Strickland cut funding to higher education and failed to freeze tuition increases. It contrasts that with a plan from Portman to lower college costs.  

“Rob Portman is fighting to keep college affordable, and help students struggling with high student-loan debt,” the ad says.  

The Strickland campaign fired back Tuesday.  

“In Ohio, Sen. Portman kicks college students out of his events, and in Washington, he supported the largest cut to Pell Grants in history, proposed eliminating the Perkins Loan program, and opposed allowing students to refinance their loans to get a more affordable rate,” Strickland spokesman David Bergstein said in a statement.  

“Under Ted, Ohio had the lowest rate of tuition growth in the nation. Ted made college free for veterans, and the Dayton Daily News even wrote that Ted made a ‘tremendous commitment to slowing the rising cost of college,'” Bergstein continued.  

Portman and Strickland are locked in one of the most competitive Senate races this year. The Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report/Roll Call rates the race as Tilts Republican .  

Contact Roarty at alexroarty@cqrollcall.com and follow him on Twitter at @alexroarty.

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