Rob Portman

Rob Portman

Robert Jones "Rob" Portman (born December 19, 1955) is an American attorney and the junior United States Senator from Ohio. Portman, a member of the Republican Party, succeeded retiring Senator George Voinovich in 2010. From 1993 to 2005, Portman served in the United States House of Representatives, representing Ohio's 2nd congressional district, which stretches along the Ohio River from the Hamilton County suburbs of Cincinnati east to Scioto County and Pike County. Portman won seven consecutive congressional elections with over 70% of the vote. During his career in the House, Portman was known for his willingness to work with important Democrats to ensure that important legislation was enacted. Portman has sided with his party's majority in 90% of his House and Senate votes; only four Republican Senators vote more consistently.

A close associate of the Bush family, Portman served in the first Bush Administration as White House Counsel and then as the president's chief liaison in the House of Representatives. He returned to serve in two federal cabinet-level positions under President George W. Bush, from May 2005 to May 2006, as U.S. Trade Representative and from May 2006 to June 2007 as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

In 2008, Portman founded Ohio's Future, a political action committee which raised money for Republican candidates. In 2008, Portman was cited as a potential running mate for Republican presidential candidate John McCain. He was considered a possible pick for Vice President on the Republican presidential ticket in 2012.