Rep. Tim Ryan, a 2020 presidential contender, alluded to a potential Senate bid in a recent fundraising email, continuing to stoke speculation that he will pursue Sen. Rob Portman’s open seat in 2022.
The Ohio Democrat asked for financial backing should he enter the race in an email sent to supporters on Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m thinking about running to represent Ohio in the U.S. Senate,” he said in a copy of the email obtained by the Washington Examiner, adding in a fundraising plea, “I want to know that you have my back.”
Ryan, who speculated that the contest will be “the most competitive election in 2022,” said that he wants to protect the Democrats’ precarious 50-50 majority in the upper chamber, in which Vice President Kamala Harris will be summoned to serve as a tiebreaker and two independents caucus with the Democratic Party.
“I think the Senate could use more voices that put working people first,” he wrote. “Friend, I know that with your support, I can win this seat and protect our 50-50 Democratic Senate majority.”
If Ryan does enter the race, he will enter what is expected to be a crowded field. Aside from the House Democrat, a colleague from across the aisle, Republican Rep. Jim Jordan, has also remained open to the possibility of running for the vacant seat.
“I mean, we’ll see,” Jordan said when asked about a potential candidacy by Newsmax host Sean Spicer, a former White House press secretary under the Trump administration.
Portman, a longtime veteran of Republican politics, announced his retirement on Monday.
“I am really looking forward to being home in Ohio full time, seeing family and friends more, and getting back to the private sector, including being able to be more involved in the community and in our family business,” he said. “And I will always be involved in public policy issues.”
