Sen. Portman Will Not Ask Trump to Join Him on Campaign Trail

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.”