2022 United States Senate election in Ohio

The 2022 United States Senate election in Ohio will be held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Ohio.

2022 United States Senate election in Ohio

November 8, 2022

Party Republican Democratic

Incumbent U.S. senator Rob Portman Republican

Two-term Republican incumbent Rob Portman announced that he would not seek re-election to a third term on January 25, 2021, citing "partisan gridlock."[1]

Republican primary

Declared

• Michael Leipold, pilot[2]
• Mark Pukita, IT executive[3]

Publicly expressed interest

• Mike Gibbons, businessman and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018[4]
• Bill Johnson, U.S. Representative for Ohio's 6th congressional district since 2011[5][6]
• Darrell C. Scott, pastor and CEO of the National Diversity Coalition for Trump[7]
• Jane Timken, former chair of the Ohio Republican Party [8]
• Brad Wenstrup, U.S. Representative for Ohio's 2nd congressional district since 2013[9]

Potential

• Frank LaRose, Ohio Secretary of State since 2019[4]
• Josh Mandel, former Ohio State Treasurer (2011–2019), nominee for U.S. Senate in 2012, and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018[10]
• Bernie Moreno, businessman[11]
• Jim Renacci, former U.S. Representative for Ohio's 16th congressional district (2011-2019) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018[12]
• Steve Stivers, U.S. Representative for Ohio's 15th congressional district since 2011[4]
• Jim Tressel, president of Youngstown State University and former Ohio State football coach[13]
• Mike Turner, U.S Representative for Ohio's 10th congressional district since 2003[14]
• J. D. Vance, author and venture capitalist[10]

Declined

• Troy Balderson, U.S. Representative for Ohio's 12th congressional district since 2018[15]
• Jon A. Husted, Lieutenant Governor of Ohio since 2019[16]
• Jim Jordan, U.S. Representative for Ohio's 4th congressional district since 2007 (running for re-election)[17]
• John Kasich, former Governor of Ohio (2011-2019) and candidate for President of the United States in 2016[4][18]
• Mark Kvamme, Venture Capitalist[19]
• Rob Portman, incumbent U.S. Senator since 2011[1]
• Dave Yost, Attorney General of Ohio since 2019 and former Ohio State Auditor (2011-2019) (running for re-election)[20]

Democratic primary

Announcement pending

• Tim Ryan, U.S. Representative for Ohio's 13th congressional district since 2003 and candidate for President of the United States in 2020[21]

Publicly expressed interest

• Amy Acton, former director of the Ohio Department of Health[22]
• Joyce Beatty, U.S. Representative for Ohio's 3rd congressional district since 2013[23]
• Nan Whaley, Mayor of Dayton[24]

Potential

• Kevin Boyce, Franklin County commissioner, former state representative, Former Treasurer of Ohio[25]
• Kathleen Clyde, former Portage County commissioner, former state representative, and nominee for Ohio Secretary of State in 2018[26]
• Tavia Galonski, state representative[27][28]
• LeBron James, professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers and former player for the Cleveland Cavaliers[29]
• Zach Klein, Columbus City Attorney[30]
• Danny O'Connor, Franklin County Recorder and nominee for Ohio's 12th congressional district in 2018[26]
• David Pepper, former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, former Hamilton County commissioner, and nominee for Attorney General of Ohio in 2014[31]
• Connie Schultz, former columnist for The Cleveland Plain Dealer and wife of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown[32]
• Emilia Sykes, Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives[33][31]

Declined

• John Cranley, Mayor of Cincinnati[30][31][34]
• Michael Coleman, former Mayor of Columbus[35]
• Alicia Reece, Hamilton County commissioner[36]
• Nina Turner, president of Our Revolution, former state senator, and nominee for Ohio Secretary of State in 2014 (running in the 2021 Ohio's 11th congressional district special election)[37]

Other parties and independents

Declared

• Shannon Marie Taylor (Libertarian Party)[38]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[39]	Lean R	January 25, 2021
Sabato's Crystal Ball[40]	Likely R	January 28, 2021
Inside Elections[41]	Solid R	January 25, 2021

References

1. Everett, Burgess (January 25, 2021). "Rob Portman won't seek reelection". Politico. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
2. "STATEMENT OF CANDIDACY" (PDF). FEC.gov.
3. Ghose, Carrie (October 31, 2019). "Dublin IT firm exec selling most of interest, launching campaign to unseat GOP Sen. Rob Portman in 2022 primary". Columbus Business First. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
4. Balmert, Jessie (January 25, 2021). "U.S. Sen. Rob Portman won't run for re-election. Which Republicans might run instead?". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
5. Wartman, Scott (February 3, 2021). "The Senate race to replace Rob Portman: Amy Acton pondering, Hillary Clinton weighs in, Republican runs first ad". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
6. Carr Smyth, Julie; Sewell, Dan (February 4, 2021). "Virus expert says she's exploring bid for US Senate in Ohio". ABC News. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
7. @PastorDScott (January 27, 2021). "I might go after Rob Portmans open Senate seat, or Anthony "gutless" Gonzalez congressional seat" (Tweet). Retrieved January 27, 2021 – via Twitter.
8. "GOP Chair on State of the Party: "We're in Good Shape"". spectrumnews1.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
9. Carr Smyth, Julie; Sewell, Dan (February 4, 2021). "Virus expert says she's exploring bid for US Senate in Ohio". ABC News. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
10. Williams, Jason; Wartman, Scott; Sparling, Hannah K. (January 25, 2021). "Ohio's U.S. Sen. Rob Portman won't run for re-election; Republican cites 'partisan gridlock'". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
11. Bender, Michael C. (January 29, 2021). "Businessman Bernie Moreno Likely to Enter Ohio Senate Contest". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
12. Wilson, Reid (January 25, 2021). "Portman won't run for reelection". The Hill. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
13. Axelrod, Ben. "Who will fill Rob Portman's U.S. Senate seat?: A list of potential Ohio candidates including Jim Jordan, Jim Tressel and Dr. Amy Acton". WKYC. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
14. Richardson, Seth A.; Tobias, Andrew J.; Pelzer, Jeremy (January 25, 2021). "Ohio Sen. Rob Portman's decision not to run sets off mad Republican scramble for open seat". cleveland. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
15. Mallett, Kent (January 26, 2021). "Balderson calls Capitol riot 'heartbreaking;' won't seek Portman's Senate seat". The Advocate (Newark). Retrieved January 26, 2021.
16. @JonHusted (January 27, 2021). "After contemplating running for the Senate for 48 hours, I was reminded how much I enjoy the challenges of my present job... I intend to keep doing this job, run for reelection, and one day in the future, I intend to run for governor. #OHSen #OHGov" (Tweet). Retrieved January 27, 2021 – via Twitter.
17. Eaton, Sabrina (January 28, 2021). "Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan won't run for U.S. Senate next year". cleveland. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
18. Balmert, Jessie (February 8, 2021). "Anti-John Kasich ad from Bill Johnson turns into Twitter clash as US Senate race heats up". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
19. Balmert, Jessie (February 8, 2021). "Anti-John Kasich ad from Bill Johnson turns into Twitter clash as US Senate race heats up". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
20. Staff writer (February 1, 2021). "Ohio AG Yost says he won't be running for Portman's Senate seat". NBC4. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
21. Martin, Jonathan (February 1, 2021). "Tim Ryan, a Top Democrat in Ohio, Is Said to Plan Senate Bid". The New York Times.
22. "Sources: Acton weighing 2022 Senate bid". NBC4 WCMH-TV. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
23. @JoyceBeatty (January 26, 2021). "I have not made any decisions on next steps, but sincerely believe now is a perfect time for change. We can and must do more to Build Back Better for all Ohioans. /2" (Tweet). Retrieved January 27, 2021 – via Twitter.
24. Burns, Alexander (January 26, 2021). "How Nan Whaley, Dayton's Mayor, Sees Ohio Politics and Portman's Senate Seat". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
25. Carr Smyth, Julie; Sewell, Dan (February 4, 2021). "Virus expert says she's exploring bid for US Senate in Ohio". ABC News. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
26. "Ohio Democrats Want To Make Their Republican Senator The Next Susan Collins". BuzzFeed News.
27. Galonski, Tavia [@RepGalonski] (November 18, 2020). "Oh, she's ready. 😉 t.co/0neukjgjjK" (Tweet). Retrieved December 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
28. Galonski, Tavia [@RepGalonski] (November 18, 2020). "I love you ALL for your support, but no announcement, just letting everyone out there know that there are MANY who are highly qualified, and ready, should the opportunity present. Let's focus on staying safe and helping other humans get through this pandemic. ❤️ t.co/xBabNSGlKF" (Tweet). Retrieved December 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
29. Gaydos, Ryan. "LeBron James for US Senate calls ramp up amid Portman's decision not to see reelection". Fox News. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
30. Rouhan, Rick (August 18, 2020). "Ohio Democrats eyeing 2022 statewide runs must find new ways to network without convention". The Times-Gazette. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
31. Larkin, Brett (August 8, 2020). "'Rule of 3' does not bode well for Mike DeWine". Cleveland.com. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
32. @ConnieSchultz. "P.S. You can stop texting me only men's names for the Democratic candidate. Ohio may have other plans" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
33. Ludlow, Randy. "Next up in Ohio: Can Mike DeWine, Rob Portman and other GOP incumbents sweep anew in '22?". The Columbus Dispatch.
34. London, John. "Sen. Portman's decision to forego a reelection campaign opens political floodgate of potential candidates". WLWT 5. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
35. https://twitter.com/MichaelBColeman/status/1356937291890122753?s=20
36. Wilkinson, Howard (February 4, 2021). "Analysis: Is Now Ohio's Time For A Black Or Woman Candidate For Senate?". WVXU. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
37. Otterbein, Holly [@hollyotterbein] (January 25, 2021). "Nina Turner's campaign says she is "singularly focused on the 11th Congressional District" but "we do hope progressive candidates will emerge to fill the vacancy created by Sen. Rob Portman and to expand the Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate."" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
38. "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1487493". docquery.fec.gov. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
39. "2022 Senate Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
40. "2022 Senate". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
41. "Senate ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 18, 2021.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Mark Pukita (R) for Senate