Jean Schmidt

That is the rumor with the announcement of Rob Portman leaving the Bush administration:

Rob Portman’s announcement Tuesday that he will resign as White House budget director puts the popular former Cincinnati-area congressman back in play as a force in Ohio politics – and as a potential statewide candidate in coming elections. For a political figure who’s maintained a reputation as an honest, skilled consensus builder while maneuvering through Washington’s power circles, it’s another well-timed move.

By returning to Cincinnati in August “to spend more time with my family,” as Portman said, he makes a graceful early exit from the troubled Bush administration while having helped steer the White House onto what he calls more “fiscally responsible” course. And Portman, who represented Ohio’s 2nd District in the U.S. House between 1993 and 2005, positions himself to be active in local and state Republican politics during the coming presidential election year.

Portman served as U.S. trade representative for a year before becoming budget director in May 2006. “I have been in the midst of the battle here on fiscal issues,” Portman said in a conference call with the Enquirer on Tuesday morning, before his resignation was announced.

OH-02 will be a very interesting race to watch next year. It is already filling up, and might even be a little heavier now.

Of course we have hope on our side of the aisle, and she will give a great run against whoever the Republicans throw up. You can still help her out:

Victoria Wulsin will be running against Jean Schmidt again next year. This is could lead to a great pick-up for the Democrats. Victoria lost by only a handful of votes last year. If you want to donate, you can do so on my ActBlue page. She is not yet listed, but you can donate to the OH-02 race and she will get the money.

Howie has more details.

UPDATE:

Thanks to KT from ActBlue, Victoria Wulsin is now listed. You can contribute using this simple form.