Super PAC launching for Ohio Sen. Portman 2016 re-election campaign

COLUMBUS (AP) — A super PAC capable of raising unlimited donations is being launched to help Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman as his Ohio race for re-election heats up.

Barry Bennett is serving as campaign manager for the Fighting for Ohio Fund. He says it aims to raise $5 million to $10 million for Portman independently from his campaign committee.

Its contributions and expenditures must be publicly disclosed. Paperwork was being filed today.

The move comes as former Gov. Ted Strickland’s self-imposed deadline nears for announcing whether he’ll enter the race. Thirty-year-old Cincinnati city councilman P.G. Sittenfeld is already seeking the Democratic nomination.

Bennett says Portman’s fundraising power should come as no surprise to political challengers. He says it also shows Strickland how times have changed since he last ran for federal office.