GOP Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, considered by some to be a possible dark horse candidate for president, said he won’t make a bid for the White House in 2016 and plans to run for re-election.
“While I appreciate the encouragement I have received from many to run for president, my focus will remain on Ohio and running for re-election to the Senate in 2016,” Mr. Portman said in a statement. “I look forward to formally announcing my re-election campaign in the new year.”
Mr. Portman said he sees a real opportunity with a new GOP majority in the U.S. Senate to break through gridlock in Washington over the next two years and that the Senate is where he believes he can play the most constructive role.
“I don’t think I can run for president and be an effective senator at the same time,” he said. “Over the next two years, I look forward to making progress on stalled policies to jump-start our economy, increase family paychecks and restore the American Dream.”
He said he wants to work on fixing the tax code, cutting red tape, stopping the “overreach” by the Obama administration, addressing the national debt, and producing more American exports and energy.
Mr. Portman, who directed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under President George W. Bush, made waves last year when he came out in support of same-sex marriage after his son, Will, said he was gay, but he told The Associated Press the decision not to run didn’t hinge on that issue.
“It really wasn’t a factor,” he said. “Some people say it would have hurt me. Some people say it would have helped me. The country is obviously moving on that issue.”
Mr. Portman, who was considered as a possible vice presidential pick by 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, has been mentioned again as a possible No. 2 as well, but for his part said he’s not interested.
“I have been through it,” Mr. Portman told the AP. “It’s obviously not something that you run for. But I’m not interested. I’m interested in staying in the Senate.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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