Former Ohio GOP Chair Jane Timken Announces Candidacy For Senate

OHIO — Former GOP Chair Jane Timken announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Thursday.

Timken will try to replace Sen. Rob Portman in 2022. Portman will not seek re-election after this term, he announced in late January.

In her initial communications with voters, Timken positioned herself as a pro-Trump Republican who will pursue an "America First" strategy in her legislation. She attacked Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in one of her first campaign videos.

"I’m a mom and I’m a fighter and I’m stepping up to fight for the America First agenda and be a champion for all Ohioans," Timken said on social media.

Timken stepped down as chair of the Ohio GOP in early February. She is the wife of the former CEO of TimkenSteel.

After early speculation, several suspected candidates for Portman's seat declined to pursue a position in the U.S. Senate. Rep. Jim Jordan and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted both said they were not interested in replacing Portman.

Timken and former senate candidate Josh Mandel have both announced their intention to campaign for Portman's seat. Both candidates have aligned themselves closely with the policies of the former Trump administration.

Dr. Amy Acton, the former director of the Ohio Department of Health, is also considering a Senate run, as a Democrat.