On January 25, 2021, Ohio Senator Rob Portman announced that he will not be seeking re-election in 2022. The 2022 election cycle will be a critical mid-term cycle which will determine what course the Republican Party will take in the wake of Trump’s defeat.

According to a report at The Epoch Times, Portman cited “partisan gridlock in Congress and political polarization” as his main reasons for leaving the Senate. 

“I feel fortunate to have been entrusted by the people of Ohio to represent them in the U.S. Senate. Today, I am announcing that I have made a decision not to run again in 2022,” Portman said in a statement.

The Republican senator continued, “I don’t think any Senate office has been more successful in getting things done, but honestly, it has gotten harder and harder to break through the partisan gridlock and make progress on substantive policy, and that has contributed to my decision.”

In Portman’s view, the United States has become “increasingly polarized where members of both parties are being pushed further to the right and further to the left, and that means too few people who are actively looking to find common ground.” Portman also contended that “This is not a new phenomenon, of course, but a problem that has gotten worse over the past few decades.” He concluded by stating that  “This is a tough time to be in public service.”

Portman accompanies his colleagues Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey and North Carolina Senator Richard Burr in retiring from office. Portman’s presence won’t be missed. He voted for the Iraq War and even betrayed President Trump by voting against his national emergency declaration at the border. To add insult to injury, Portman has routinely talked smack about President Trump behind his back. 

2022 is shaping up to be an interesting year for Republicans with numerous seats in play. With regards to open seats, there will be unique opportunities for America First nationalists to shine in. Ohio is ground zero for the emerging populist realignment taking place in America. Once a state that could go either way during a given election cycle, Ohio is now a safe Republican state. 

America First nationalists should milk this opening for what it’s worth and place a staunch nationalist to run for the open GOP seat in 2022. This will be the first midterm where populists can begin purging the party of neocons and other establishment types.