COLUMBUS, Ohio — Rep. Joyce Beatty, a Columbus Democrat and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, announced Friday that she is endorsing Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan’s bid for U.S. Senate.
“My friend Tim Ryan will be a fantastic senator for Ohio, and I couldn’t be happier to endorse him,” Beatty said in a statement to Spectrum News. “I’ve seen firsthand how he shows up every day to fight for working people.”
Beatty’s endorsement is the latest sign that Ohio Democrats are coalescing behind Ryan to be their nominee in the 2022 race for retiring Sen. Rob Portman’s seat.
As chair of the CBC, Beatty is an influential voice both in Ohio and nationally for Democrats.
Currently, Ryan is the only Democrat in the race, though Statehouse Minority Leader Emilia Sykes and Franklin County Commissioner Kevin Boyce have for months been rumored as considering jumping in.
“I’m proud to have the support of my friend Congresswoman Beatty, a true fighter for Ohio’s working families,” Ryan said in a statement to Spectrum News. “It’s been a privilege to represent Ohio alongside Congresswoman Beatty, and as senator, I’m looking forward to continuing to work together as we reinvest in our state and cut Ohio workers in on the deal.”
Ryan has earned endorsements from more than 200 current and former Democratic leaders across Ohio, including Toledo-area Congressman Marcy Kaptur.
His campaign reported in July that it raised a strong $2.28 million in the second quarter of the year.
On the Republican side, six candidates have formally entered the race — former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, former Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken, Cleveland investment banker Mike Gibbons, luxury car dealer Bernie Moreno, author and venture capitalist JD Vance, and businessman Mark Pukita.
State Sen. Matt Dolan has launched an exploratory committee, while Dayton-area Rep. Mike Turner is considering.
