Former congressman Rob Portman said Wednesday that if he's elected to the U.S. Senate, he'll bring a fiscally conservative, pro-growth and bipartisan approach to help the country through tough economic times.
Portman kicked off his campaign at the Golden Lamb Inn in Lebanon, a historic restaurant and hotel owned by his family. He plans a two-day tour around Ohio.
Portman had dinner with Voinovich Monday night.
Other possible GOP candidates for the seat are former US Senator Mike DeWine and Ohio Auditor Mary Taylor.
Possible democratic rivals for the soon to be vacant seat include Lt. Governor Lee Fisher, Congressman Tim Ryan and Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner.
The political climate was harsh last year for Republicans and according to Professor Tim White, a political expert at Xavier University.
He told ONN that he thinks Portman will have an uphill battle to win the senate seat.
"It's going to be very hard for republicans to win in 2010. If you look at Obama's approval rating near 80 percent. That makes it very difficult for any democrat to latch on to him to lose," said Professor White.
Portman represented the second district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 until 2005. He was also the White House Budget Director from 2006 until 2007.
