With Donald Trump the apparent Republican Presidential nominee and Hillary Clinton leading in the Democratic race, Senator Rob Portman says it’s important for this party to be unified.
"Overall, I think, given the alternative," Portman said, "Donald Trump is my preference over Hillary Clinton."
But Portman does not intend to ask Trump to campaign with him in his tight re-election bid against former Ohio governor Ted Strickland.
"No, as I’ve said from the start, regardless of who the candidate at the top was, we’re running a really strong independent campaign. I’m going to continue to be an independent voice for Ohio. I will not agree w/Donald Trump on every issue," Portman said.
Republican leaders have expressed concern that Trump at the top of the GOP ticket could hurt their down ticket candidates, including Portman.
A recent statement from Strickland’s campaign manager said, “We’d like to welcome Senator Portman to his election nightmare.”