Bill Clinton endorses Strickland for Ohio Senate

Former President Bill Clinton is throwing his weight behind former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D) early in the 2016 Ohio Senate race.

{mosads}“Ted Strickland offers a unique blend of qualities we need more of in Washington today: a proven record of service to hard working Ohioans, energy, determination and idealism,” Clinton said in a statement. “He knows how to reach across the aisle to find common ground and when Ohioans need him to stand his ground. No one will care more, know more, and work harder for better opportunities for every Ohioan than Ted. I’m proud to support him.”

Strickland was an early backer of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s 2008 run for the Democratic presidential nomination.

For Strickland, it’s another critical endorsement, as he looks to beat back a challenge from Democratic upstart P.G. Sittenfeld, a 30-year-old Cincinnati city councilman. Sittenfeld announced his candidacy before Strickland and is staying in the race, even as the Democratic establishment lines up against him.
 
Earlier this month, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee announced it would support Strickland over Sittenfeld in the race. Strickland also has the support of Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown (D).

Sittenfeld is a rising star in the party, and he had a lot of early buzz among Democrats before it became clear that Strickland would enter the race.



But many Democrats believe the more experienced Strickland, 73, is best equipped to take on Sen. Rob Portman (R), who has $5.8 million in his campaign fund and the backing of essentially every elected Republican in the state.