Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) announced Saturday night he was retracting his endorsement of Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump after a tape of Trump talking about forcing himself on women surfaced.
“I had hoped to support the candidate my party nominated in the primary process. I thought it was appropriate to respect the millions of voters across the country who chose Donald Trump as the Republican Party nominee,” Portman said in a statement. “While I continue to respect those who still support Donald Trump, I can no longer support him. I continue to believe our country cannot afford a Hillary Clinton presidency. I will be voting for Mike Pence for President.”
Portman has been outrunning Trump in his Senate race in Ohio for months at this points. Even as the Republican National Convention in July, which took place in Portman’s own state, Portman did not give a primetime speech on Trump’s behalf.
Instead of spending all his time at the Quicken Loans Arena, Portman spent his time with campaign volunteers and kayaked with reporters and wounded veterans.
Portman’s statement against Trump Saturday night came after a host of lawmakers had already disavowed the nominee. Portman joined Sens. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), John McCain (R-AZ), Deb Fischer (R-NE), John Thune (R-SD) and many others.
