Lt. Gov. Jon Husted on Wednesday stamped out speculation he would give up his place on the gubernatorial ticket and run instead for the U.S. Senate in 2022, the first potential top-tier candidate to definitively bow out of contention for Sen. Rob Portman’s open seat.
“After contemplating running for the Senate for 48 hours, I was reminded how much I enjoy the challenges of my present job. I am truly grateful for the opportunities I have every day to work with the governor to lead Ohio’s innovation, workforce and economic strategies and solve problems for people throughout our state,” he said in a statement sent out by the Ohio Republican Party.
“I believe there will be several good people who will seriously consider a run for the U.S. Senate post now served ably by Rob Portman, and I look forward to helping those people any way I can,” Mr. Husted said.
He also affirmed his desire to run for governor in the future. But for now, Mr. Husted said he’s happy to serve with Gov. Mike DeWine, who plans to run again in 2022.
“I intend to keep doing this job, run for re-election, and one day in the future, I intend to run for governor. My public service skills and passion are at the state level,” he said.
Since Mr. Portman, a Republican, announced his 2022 retirement on Monday, state political insiders are buzzing about possible successors on both sides of the aisle.
Mr. Husted was seen as a top candidate for Republicans, along with ex-state treasurer and former U.S. Senate candidate Josh Mandel, Ohio Republican Party Chairman Jane Timken, and U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan.
Mr. Mandel said shortly after Mr. Portman’s announcement that he’s considering a run, while Mr. Jordan, of Urbana, hasn’t ruled it out. Ms. Timken hasn’t addressed the speculation publicly, and the Ohio Republican Party hasn’t responded to a request for comment.
Republican U.S. Reps. Steve Stivers of Columbus and Bill Johnson of Marietta have said they’re thinking it over as well. Anthony Gonzalez of Rocky River, one of 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach then-President Donald Trump earlier this month, is also getting buzz.
Former Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, Ohio, and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley are the most frequently cited candidates on the Democratic side. Dr. Acton is considering a run, according to multiple sources. Mr. Ryan and Ms. Whaley have signaled their interest, although Democrats close to Ms. Whaley believe she has her sights set on challenging Mr. DeWine in 2022.
“I have talked to several prospective candidates ... I’m not asking anybody to run at this point. I’m just talking them through what being a candidate for the Senate is like,” Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, Ohio’s only statewide elected Democrat outside the Ohio Supreme Court, told reporters Wednesday.
He said Mr. Jordan is the Republican he would least like to serve alongside in the Senate.
“Jim Jordan would be last on my list,” Mr. Brown said. “Jim Jordan has continued to put out there that this election was rigged, and that’s just a total lie. The reason that Jan. 6 happened is because of politicians who incited violence and continued to propagate this lie that the election was illegitimate. People like that shouldn’t serve in public office.”
Mr. Portman announced Monday that he was retiring from the Senate after his second term, citing the gridlock in Congress and a desire to return to the private sector.
First Published January 27, 2021, 9:29 p.m.
