Portman's FOP Endorsement Highlighted in Latest TV Ad

Press Release

Today, the Portman for Senate Campaign released its latest TV ad, "Strong," highlighting Rob's endorsement from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) of Ohio - the state's largest law enforcement union representing more than 25,000 workers - and featuring Ohio FOP President Jay McDonald. The Ohio FOP endorsement was considered a major "political blow" for Ted Strickland considering the union endorsed the former governor in 2006 and 2010. "Strong" begins running statewide today and is a part of the campaign's $15 million ad reservation. You may click HERE or on the video below to watch "Strong."

From Ohio FOP President, Jay McDonald: "Law enforcement in Ohio needs a Senator who will have our backs. That's why when we looked at both candidates in the race for United States Senate, the FOP of Ohio decided to endorse Rob Portman. Rob stands up for law enforcement and he knows how to bring Republicans, Democrats, and Independents together to help address the challenges facing our state and nation. Rob has been a leader in fighting the prescription drug and heroin epidemic that is gripping our state. His legislation - the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act - will help Ohio communities start to fight back and it will help save lives."

Script:
Jay McDonald: I'm Jay McDonald, President of the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio. Ohio's Police officers need a Senator who will have our backs and after examining the candidates' records, the FOP endorsed Rob Portman. He's always stood strong for law enforcement, and no elected official in America is doing more to fight back against the heroin epidemic than Senator Portman. Please join Ohio law enforcement in supporting Rob Portman. He's on our side.

Voiceover: Rob Portman - endorsed by the the Fraternal Order of Police.

Rob Portman: I'm Rob Portman and I approve this message.

Background:
Earlier this year, the Ohio Conference of Teamsters - which represents over 50,000 members from across Ohio - the United Mine Workers of America, and the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 18 - representing over 15,000 workers across Ohio - endorsed Rob for U.S. Senate. The union endorsements represent over 100,000 Ohio workers who analyzed the records of the two candidates in this race and concluded that Rob is the only candidate they can trust to fight for Ohio workers and their families. The momentum is certainly behind the Portman Campaign as Republicans, Independents, and even Democrats are rallying in support of Rob.

In September, ACT Ohio, the political arm of the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council (OSBCTC) -- an AFL-CIO affiliated union representing more than 94,000 construction workers in Ohio -- announced their decision to stay neutral in the Ohio Senate race despite endorsing Ted Strickland in previous races.

Rob Portman Protecting Officers and their Families:
Rob stands with Law Enforcement Officers and is proud to back the blue. Rob understands that our police officers risk their lives everyday to protect us and deserve our unending gratitude and support.

Rob is an Original Co-Sponsor of National Blue Alert Act of 2015: Rob Portman was an original co-sponsor of the National Blue Alert Act of 2015, which became law in May 2015. This law will help alert the public when a police officer is injured or killed in the line of duty to help apprehend the suspect and bring him or her to justice.

Rob is the Author of the Second Chance Act: Rob was the original author of the Second Chance Act, a bill that became law in 2008, which provides $330 million in federal funding to provide jobs, mental health, and substance abuse assistance to people transitioning from prison and jail back into their community to reduce recidivism. Rob has teamed up with Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) to introduce legislation to reauthorize, update, and improve the Second Chance Act.

Rob Introduced the Fairness for Fallen Officers Act: Rob was the lead Republican sponsor on a bill that made sure families of officers killed and severely injured because of heat-stroke or hypothermia quickly receive their benefits.

Rob Opposed the Nomination of Debo Adegbile: Rob joined the FOP in opposing the failed nomination of Debo Adegbile to serve as the Assistant Attorney General for the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

Rob is a Leader in the Fight to Combat the Prescription Drug and Heroin Epidemic: For more than 20 Rob has been fighting to combat the illegal use of drugs that is a root cause of many crimes in Ohio. More than 20 years ago, Rob founded the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati. He chaired the coalition for nine years, served on the board, and was even a member of the board when he was elected to the U.S. Senate.

Rob is a former member of the board of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), which is the national membership organization representing over 5,000 coalitions and affiliates working to make America's communities safe, healthy and drug-free.

Rob authored the Drug Free Communities Act, which became law on June 27, 1997. The legislation provided and continues to provide over a billion dollars in grants to local agencies and non-profits to help prevent drug addiction.

Rob authored the Drug Demand Reduction Act, which passed the House on September 16, 1998. The legislation provided funding for programs to facilitate a significant reduction in the incidence and prevalence of substance abuse through reducing the demand for illegal drugs and the inappropriate use of legal drugs.

Rob co-authored the bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which tackles the prescription drug and heroin epidemic head on by expanding education and prevention efforts, helping law enforcement reverse overdoses to save lives, and expanding treatment and recovery programs. Rob began this legislative effort in 2014 and President Obama signed this historic legislation into law earlier this year.

The Ohio FOP praised Rob's CARA saying,"The legislation provides treatment for those caught in the clutches of addiction or who also suffer from mental illness and also provides law enforcement with necessary tools to prevent heroin and opioid deaths by assisting agencies in acquiring and deploying naloxone, which can reverse the effects of an overdose."

Rob's Interstate Drug Monitoring Efficiency and Data Sharing Act of 2012 was signed into law. The bill creates an efficient, cost-effective system for states to share information from prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) across state lines. This information sharing makes it easier for law enforcement to track prescription drug abuse. Rob's legislation resulted in a national standard for PDMPs to facilitate the exchange of information among doctors, pharmacists and in some instances, authorized law enforcement.

Rob's Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 was also signed into law. The bill adds drugs like synthetic marijuana and bath salts to the Controlled Substance Act. The law is considered an important step in making the drugs illegal and has already allowed law enforcement to crack down on individuals who produce and distribute them.

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