Another labor union is backing Republican Rob Portman over rival Ted Strickland in Ohio's closely watched contest for U.S. Senate.
The announcement Monday by the 50,000-member Ohio Conference of Teamsters was an important campaign endorsement for Portman and a political blow to Strickland. The Democrat is a former governor and congressman whose strong relationships with labor have helped him win elections.
Pat Darrow, the Teamsters' Ohio conference president, says the union looks forward to supporting Portman.
Strickland spokesman David Bergstein says Strickland has earned the endorsement of the most labor unions including the United Auto Workers, the AFL-CIO and AFSCME.
In June, Portman won the endorsement of the United Mine Workers of America.
