The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that former congressman and Bush administration official Rob Portman's (R) new job at a law firm will allow him "to continue traveling Ohio, giving speeches and laying the groundwork for a possible 2010 run for Ohio governor or the U.S. Senate." He has already started his own political action committee for the 2008 election cycle.
On challenging Gov. Ted Strickland (D): "That would almost certainly mean a primary fight for Portman because other well-known Republicans - including former congressman John Kasich and former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine - are also considering running."
On running for Sen. Voinovich (R)'s seat: "Portman said that if Ohio's senior senator, George Voinovich, decides not to run for re-election in 2010, he would consider that race as well. But Voinovich has said he plans to run; and Portman is scheduled to co-host a fundraiser for Voinovich in Cincinnati next month."
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2007/11/09/in_ohio_portman_indicates_he_will_run_statewide_in_near_future.htmlCould this man be the saviour of the Ohio GOP? If Voinovich and Strickland run for re-election in 2010 he may not have a chance to run for anything until 2012 when Sherrod Brown is up. If present trends continue, Voinovich could lose re-election while Strickland will almost certainly win it. Portman might be better off challenging Voinovich in a Republican Primary than Strickland in the general election; although fundraising for him isn't a good start for that.
