Tim Ryan planning to declare run for Ohio Senate seat by March: NYT

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) is planning to declare a 2022 campaign for the open Ohio Senate seat by the beginning of March, The New York Times reported on Monday.

Democrats who have spoken to Ryan told the Times that he is expected to throw his hat in the ring to fill the seat being vacated by Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), who announced last month that he would not run for reelection.

Several party members are encouraging Ryan to run, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio). Ryan has also reportedly reached out to a number of Ohio and national Democrats.

Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D) told the Times that he believes Ryan is “the person with the best chance, given this political climate we’re in” and Ohio’s increasingly Republican voting patterns.

The Ohio chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has already endorsed Ryan for the Senate seat, even though he hasn’t announced a campaign.

A representative for Ryan’s office said they could not confirm the Times report.

Ryan, who has served in the House for 18 years and represents a district with many blue-collar workers and union members, told the Times when asked about his discussions with fellow Democrats that he was “encouraged by their support, enthusiasm and commitment.”

“The U.S. Senate needs another working-class voice, and I’m very serious about the opportunity to continue representing the people of Ohio,” he told the newspaper.

The former battleground state has been red ever since former President Trump’s election victory there in 2016. Trump won the state by 8 percentage points in both 2016 and 2020.

Ryan, who launched a brief White House bid in 2019, performed better in his district than President Biden, but Democrats lost several seats in other down-ballot races across the state.

If he runs for the Senate, Ryan will likely face other Democratic contenders in the race. Dayton, Ohio, Mayor Nan Whaley and former state Department of Health Director Amy Acton are considering running, according to The Plain Dealer.

Portman announced he would retire after his term ends in 2022, joining two other Republican senators, Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.).