Portman backs Schmidt for re-election

With another GOP primary battle underway for his old congressional seat, Rob Portman made it clear that he's staying out of the fray.

The U.S. trade representative, whose resignation last year propelled 11 Republicans to vie for his seat, told the Enquirer that he's backing Rep. Jean Schmdit of Miami Township.

"My position is going to be the administration position, which is to support the incumbent," Portman said in an interview after President Bush's State of the Union address Tuesday night.
Schmidt beat out former Rep. Bob McEwen and Ohio state Rep. Tom Brinkman to get her party's nomination last year. She then beat Democrat Paul Hackett, an Indian Hill lawyer and Iraq war veteran, in August to claim the seat.

McEwen announced earlier this month that he'll again challenge Schmidt for the seat.

In December, before McEwen's entry to the race, Portman, a Terrace Park Republican, had headlined a fundraiser breakfast for Schmidt in Cincinnati.