Ohio Sen. Rob Portman supports President Trump's 2020 bid - a reversal from 2016 vote

Jessie Balmert
Cincinnati Enquirer

COLUMBUS - Ohio Sen. Rob Portman refused to vote for Republican Donald Trump in 2016, but he'll support the president's bid in 2020. 

Portman, who initially backed then-Gov. John Kasich's bid for president, was planning to vote for Trump in November 2016. But the Terrace Park Republican changed his mind after a video emerged of Trump engaging in a graphic exchange about women with Billy Bush, a former "Access Hollywood" host.

“While I continue to respect those who still support Donald Trump, I can no longer support him," Portman said at the time. Portman, who was running for re-election, voted for Vice President Mike Pence instead – a write-in vote that likely didn't count. 

Now, Portman says he intends to support the Republican incumbent in 2020, according to a report from the Independent Journal Review. 

“Well, he’s the incumbent. I mean, he’s in office, I work with him every day," Portman told the conservative news website. 

“I disagree with him publicly and privately when appropriate. But I also get a lot done, and I get that done with him. So we work with the White House, and I think that’s important for Ohio,” Portman added.

Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, R-Terrace Park, told a conservative news website he'll support Trump's 2020 re-election bid. Portman did not vote for the president in 2016.

Since 2016, Portman has appeared with Trump during political rallies in Ohio. They both spoke at the Ohio Republican Party's annual fundraising dinner. Portman has worked with Trump on policies in Washington D.C. 

Ohio Democrats say Portman is finally showing his true colors on Trump.

“Rob Portman has once again revealed where he ultimately stands,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper in a statement. “He may talk a great game about standing up to Trump, but at the end of the day, he supports Trump."