AP Photo
Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, a Mitt Romney ally in 2012 who was exploring his own bid for president in 2016, has opted against a White House bid and will instead seek another Senate term, sources confirmed to POLITICO.
Portman began calling allies Monday to let them know he didn't plan to run nationally, sources familiar with the calls said.
Story Continued Below
'I'm excited about it,' Portman said in an interview with the Associated Press after the decision became public.
Portman was a co-chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2014, and he was credited with helping the group raise funds despite anti-Washington sentiment among donors.
That combined with his swing state roots had given him a lane to occupy in a wide-open field. But his path would have been narrow, and most Republican insiders see him as a far stronger vice presidential choice than a potential nominee.
Portman was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010.
Entities 0 Name: Portman Count: 4 1 Name: White House Count: 1 2 Name: AP Photo Ohio Sen. Rob Portman Count: 1 3 Name: Mitt Romney Count: 1 4 Name: POLITICO Count: 1 5 Name: Senate Count: 1 6 Name: National Republican Senatorial Committee Count: 1 7 Name: U.S. Senate Count: 1 8 Name: Republican Count: 1 9 Name: Associated Press Count: 1 Related 0 Url: http://ift.tt/1tv8A5W Title: Mitch McConnell's big test Description: Now that he's got the power role he's always wanted, the Senate dealmaker must navigate between a rebellious G.O.P. and a legacy-minded president. "Does anyone down there know how to do a deal?" drawled the Senate's top Republican, Mitch McConnell, over the phone to Vice President Joe Biden.
