Hillary Clinton is among those calling for Rep. Tim Ryan to run for an open Ohio Senate seat in 2022.
On MSNBC Saturday morning, the Ohio Democrat said he’s “looking closely” at running following Republican Sen. Rob Portman’s recent decision not to seek a third Senate term.
Shortly after, Clinton echoed a call for Ryan to run from Kathy DiCristofaro, chair of the Ohio Democratic Women’s Caucus.
“Ohio needs leaders like @TimRyan to fight for working people. I’m all In!” DiCristofaro had tweeted.
“You’re right, Kathy!” the former Democratic nominee replied in a tweet.
Ryan backed Clinton in the 2016 presidential primary over Bernie Sanders and also allied with her in 2008. He has also gotten support for running from progressive Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).
Other Democrats that could be in the mix for the seat include Nan Whaley, the mayor of Dayton, and David Pepper, who once was the state’s Democratic party chair.
Democrats are eyeing flipping Portman’s seat in 2022, along with the seats of retiring Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.). The 50-50 split Senate is currently held by Democrats due to Vice President Kamala Harris’ tie-breaking vote.
Portman said he made his announcement early to allow Republicans to get ready to campaign in what could be a difficult GOP primary. Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan said he’s not running for the seat, but ex-Ohio treasurer Josh Mandel, author J.D. Vance, and Rep. Steve Stivers are all among potential contenders in a crowded Republican field.
Former President Donald Trump won Ohio in 2016 and 2020.
To win in Ohio, Democrats have to talk about economic “bread-and-butter” issues, Ryan said on MSNBC Saturday morning.
“Trump won Ohio by eight points. So if we’re going to win a place like Ohio, we’ve got to figure out how to move to the middle a little bit and get some of those voters, or we’re not going to be able to win a Senate seat,” Ryan said.
Ryan tweeted he was “seriously” looking into a run for the seat shortly after Portman announced his decision not to run Monday.
Read more: politico.com
