Portman targets union members with new ads

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) is launching a six-figure ad campaign targeted at union members and conservative Democrats after receiving endorsements from three unions.

Portman’s online display ads will target union members through occupational targeting data from Facebook and LinkedIn and will run on more than two dozen websites through the Google Display network, the Portman campaign said.

{mosads}The ads highlight Portman’s recent endorsements by the United Mine Workers of America, the Ohio Conference of Teamsters and the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio. All three groups had backed Portman’s Democratic rival, former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, when he ran for governor in 2006 and 2010.

“While Ted Strickland is desperate to distract from our recent union endorsements, we will continue to highlight how Rob is the only candidate in this race truly fighting for Ohio families and workers,” campaign spokeswoman Michawn Rich said in a news release.

Strickland’s campaign has highlighted its own union endorsements. More than 40 labor groups have backed the Democrat, including the AFL-CIO, the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters and the United Auto Workers.

The Strickland campaign released an ad Tuesday ripping Portman for his past support of trade deals.

Portman has a slim lead over Strickland in recent polls. Their Senate race is expected to come down to the wire, and it may end up determining whether Democrats can reclaim control of the Senate this fall. Democrats need to gain five seats — or gain four and keep the White House — to take back control of the chamber.