Ohio Senator Rob Portman has joined fellow Republicans who say a new member of the U.S. Supreme Court shouldn't be chosen until after the presidential election.
Justice Antonin Scalia's unexpected death raises the question of whether President Barack Obama should nominate a replacement and the Republican-led Senate should confirm that choice in an election year.
Portman says it's common for the Senate not to act on lifetime appointments during the final year of a presidential term. He says he'd judge any nominee on merits.
Two Democrats campaigning for Portman's seat accused him of disregarding the Constitution. Former Gov. Ted Strickland says Portman prioritizes politics over public service. Cincinnati Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld says it'd be irresponsible if Obama didn't make a nomination and the Senate didn't act on it.