YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan officially announced minutes ago that he will not challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. Rob Portman in the 2016 election.

Ryan’s decision, announced in an email distributed a short while ago, comes after “much thought and deliberation,” he said. The announcement comes amid rising speculation that Ryan’s friend and former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland will seek the Democratic nomination for the seat. Strickland has said he will announce his decision by the end of February.

“With my new and growing family, I feel now is the time to be close to home. I want to thank my family, friends and the countless Ohio leaders who shared their views and supported me while I made this important decision,” Ryan, D-13 Ohio, continued.

Ryan’s wife, Andrea, gave birth to Brady Zetts Ryan last June. In an interview last month, Ryan said having a baby at home was a consideration he had not had in the past when mulling his political options.

In this afternoon’s statement, Ryan also said he looked forward to continuing to use his position on the House of Representatives’ Appropriations and Budget committees “to increase investments in manufacturing, promote wellness in our health and food policies, and protect American jobs by fighting against unfair trade practices.”

Ryan was first elected to Congresss in 2002.

Copyright 2015 by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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