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COLUMBUS – The last political amateur to win a U.S. Senate race in Ohio boasted an impressive resume: He was the first American to orbit the Earth.
Even as a popular astronaut and Marine, Democrat John Glenn didn t win the first primary he entered – or the second. As he mulled a bid in 1964, Glenn faced criticism from those who said he wasn t qualified for higher office or shouldn t damage his brand with politics.
As political newcomers Dr. Amy Acton and ex-Ohio Republican leader Jane Timken consider U.S. Senate bids, they will face some of the same hurdles Glenn did: a lack of elected experience and untested campaign acumen.
COLUMBUS It took fewer than 48 hours to rock Ohio s political world.
First, Republican Sen. Rob Portman shocked Ohio politicians when he announced Monday that he wouldn t run for re-election in 2022. The well-funded incumbent was considered a safe bet for the seat in a state that President Donald Trump won handily, twice. Democrats were still mulling who would challenge him.
Then, former Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton emerged as a possible Democratic contender for U.S. Senate, Cleveland.com first reported.
That article got a signal boost from author Connie Schultz, a prominent Ohio Democrat and the wife of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, who tweeted: Imagine Dr. Amy Acton as Ohio s next U.S. senator. I sure can.