Jon Husted Won't Run For Senate, Signals Gubernatorial Intention

COLUMBUS, OH — The field of potential successors for Rob Portman narrowed slightly on Wednesday.

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said he would not run for Portman's senate seat. Opting instead to set his sights on the Ohio Statehouse and a possible future as governor.

"My public service skills and passion are at the state level," Husted said in a statement. He indicated he would one day launch a campaign to be governor.

Husted's decision comes nearly 48 hours after Portman announced he would not seek re-election in 2022. Portman said increasing partisan gridlock made it difficult to consider another campaign.

"We live in an increasingly polarized country where members of both parties are being pushed further to the right and further to the left, and that means too few people who are actively looking to find common ground," Portman added.

When asked to consider who his successor might be, Portman demurred, declining to anoint a chosen replacement. Instead, he said several worthy candidates would emerge. He specifically mentioned Husted as a possible candidate.

Portman also said he had not spoken to anyone about running in his stead in 2022.