Veep Biden raises funds for Ohio Senate nominee Strickland

CINCINNATI (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden has helped raise money for the Democratic effort to unseat Ohio’s Republican U.S. senator.

Biden headlined a Tuesday breakfast event for former Gov. Ted Strickland at a downtown Cincinnati hotel. Tickets started at $500. There was no word immediately on how much was raised.

Democrats are targeting incumbent Rob Portman in their bid to win back a Senate majority.

Strickland has criticized Portman’s position on not considering President Barack Obama’s choice to fill the Supreme Court vacancy. Portman has said that decision should wait for the next president.

The Biden fundraiser was scheduled even before Strickland had clinched the nomination in the March 15 primary.

Portman campaign manager Corry Bliss says national Democrats sent Biden “to rescue” Strickland’s underfunded campaign.