WASHINGTON, March 21 (UPI) -- With U.S. Rep. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, headed to an apparent easy confirmation as U.S. trade representative, a scramble to replace him in Congress has started.
Two sons of well-known political fathers head the list of potential candidates in the special election to replace him, Roll Call said Monday. The election is expected to be held in August or November.
Although more than a dozen Republicans are mentioned as potential candidates for the seat, Hamilton County Commissioners Phil Heimlich and Pat DeWine, both former members of the Cincinnati City Council, would be prohibitive frontrunners if they run, Roll Call reported.
Heimlich is the son of Henry Heimlich, the Cincinnati physician who invented the anti-choking maneuver that bears his name. DeWine is the oldest child of U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio.
"It's something that we're very seriously considering," Pat DeWine said Friday, although he cautioned he is not ready to make any public announcement. Heimlich did not return a call to his office Friday.
The timing of the special election to succeed Portman will depend on how quickly he is confirmed by the Senate and resigns his House seat.
