Republican U.S. Senator Rob Portman of Ohio has created a leadership council of African-Americans to advise his campaign on urban issues. Those who will serve on the council include Bishop Timothy Clarke of Columbus and former Republican Columbus City Council member Jeanette Bradley. The council is being created in the wake of several police shootings and the recent attack on a black church in South Carolina. Portman trails in polls against his Democratic challengers, former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Cincinnati City Council member P.G. Sittenfeld.