Strickland brings Senate bid to Akron Press Club

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Ted Strickland made the case Monday that his positions on labor, education and economic issues differ starkly with Republican incumbent Rob Portman’s and are a better fit for average Ohioans.

In remarks to the Akron Press Club, the former Ohio governor faulted Portman for opposing the auto-industry bailout, favoring foreign trade deals that cost U.S. jobs and unraveling overtime-wage protections.

“Rob Portman and I fundamentally disagree on how to protect Ohio jobs and America’s manufacturing industries,” Strickland said. “In the Senate, I will oppose giveaway trade deals and stand up for the working people of Ohio. But Rob Portman? He’s the best senator China ever had.”

Republicans in the closely watched race lobbed back, questioning Strickland’s economic record as governor, the timing of his recent position-reversal on guns and his unwillingness to debate primary challenger P.G. Sittenfeld, a Cincinnati councilman.

“Ted Strickland’s policies were a disaster for Ohio,” Portman spokesman Corry Bliss said in a statement. “Under his watch, Ohio lost over 350,000 jobs and ranked 48th in job creation. Now Ted Strickland wants to double-down on the same failed policies that hurt Ohio families and take them to the Senate.”

Clinging to his pro-labor message, Strickland accused Portman of siding with wealthy benefactors, including the billionaire Koch brothers, over the working class. He says as senator he’d support college affordability and protect Social Security and oppose raising the retirement age.

Strickland’s visit to Akron came just a week after a group of county and city Democrats there announced they were endorsing Sittenfeld in the March 15 primary.

Strickland has been unable to shake the intraparty challenge despite a rare endorsement by the state party and help from Bill and Hillary Clinton and other Democratic stars.