The GOP scored their first recruitment victory when former congressman and Bush cabinet official Rob Portman officially announced his candidacy to replace retiring Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) earlier today. He is widely thought to be the most electable of the potential Republican candidates to run for Voinovich's seat.He is the first candidate to jump into the race, and it is clear that he is the heavy favorite to win the Republican nomination. Just hours after his announcement, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) endorsed Portman. Republican Ohio Reps. Bob Latta and Patrick Tiberi followed suit soon afterward.
With nearly the entirety of the Ohio Republican Party coalescing around Portman, it is almost inconceivable that he won't win the GOP nomination.
Even though Republicans are rejoicing about Portman's candidacy, state Democrats will almost certainly tie him to George W. Bush, who appointed him to the positions of director of the Office of Management and Budget as well as U.S. Trade Representative over the past four years.
Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, Rep. Tim Ryan is openly considering running while Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher will decide in one week whether or not he will enter the race. These two men are considered to be the strongest candidates on the Democratic side.
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