COLUMBUS, Ohio — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a story published on January 26, 2021.
On Wednesday afternoon, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced that he does not intend to run for the open Senate seat left by Rob Portman (R-OH), when Portman's term ends in 2022.
"After contemplating running for the Senate for 48 hours, I was reminded how much I enjoy the challenges of my present job. I am truly grateful for the opportunities I have every day to work with the Governor to lead Ohio's innovation, workforce, and economic strategies and solve problems for people throughout our state. I know the work I am doing is making a difference in people's lives," Husted wrote in a statement released on Twitter.
While the Lt. Governor cited many reasons for not running for the US Senate seat, Husted said that he already feels as though his current office allows him the ability to enact change within the state and that he intends to one day run for the position of Governor of Ohio.
"Being Lt. Governor provides me the fulfilling opportunity and I intend to keep doing this job, run for re-election, and one day in the future, I intend to run for Governor," Husted wrote.
Sen. Portman's announcement on Monday took many by surprise, with the Senator citing "gridlock" in Congress as his reason to not run for reelection.
The announcement prompted many within the state to speculate as to who will run in 2022 to fill the open position, with popular names like Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), and even former Director for the Ohio Board of Health Dr. Amy Acton, being mentioned.