A central Ohio conservative says he plans to challenge Republican U.S. Senator Rob Portman of Ohio in the primary next year. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.
Columbus-area resident Don Eckhart is hoping the third time is the charm. He’s run for public offices twice before as an independent but now, he intends to run, as a Republican, against U.S Senator Rob Portman in the primary. Eckhart says he wants to fight against big money politics and be a voice for traditional marriage in Ohio.
“I strongly support and continue to support the Ohio Constitution definition which is one man, one woman marriage,” Eckhart says.
Portman recently changed his stance on opposing gay marriage after learning his own son is gay. Portman says he’s not concerned about having competition in the primary because Republicans are rallying around his campaign.
“We’ve not only won the Republican Central Committee endorsement by a 60-1 vote but we now have the support of every member of the congressional delegation, every statewide elected official and about 90% of the Statehouse,” Portman says.
Portman also has more money in his campaign war chest - about 8 million dollars at latest count. Eckhart says he has grassroots support and can win without money.
