COLUMBUS — U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Upper Arlington) — who represents Ohio’s 15th District including Clinton County — is considering a run for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat in 2022.
Current Sen. Rob Portman (R-Terrace Park) announced in late January that he will not seek reelection for a third term.
Stivers on Wednesday announced his first quarter fundraising, totaling just under $1.4 million raised since January of 2021. He currently has nearly $2.4 million in cash on hand — the highest-grossing quarter in his career as a public servant.
“We are overwhelmed and encouraged by the tremendous support we’ve received from Ohioans and Americans across the country, said Chris Grant, Stivers’ general consultant. “It shows that people are willing to invest in strong, decisive leadership and Congressman Stivers’ vision for the future of the country.”
Portman was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010, defeating then Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher following the retirement of U.S. Senator George Voinovich.
In 2016 he defeated former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland.
Portman, in making his January announcement, stated in part: “I don’t think any Senate office has been more successful in getting things done, but honestly, 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.
“We live in an increasingly polarized country where members of both parties are being pushed further to the right and further to the left, and that means too few people who are actively looking to find common ground. This is not a new phenomenon, of course, but a problem that has gotten worse over the past few decades.
“This is a tough time to be in public service. For many of the issues I am most passionate about, I will continue to make a difference outside of the Senate, beyond 2022.”
