Yost will run for re-election as attorney general, not going for Portman’s Senate seat

Republican Dave Yost will run for re-election as Ohio attorney general in 2022 and won’t jump into the race for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Rob Portman.

“After much consultation, thought and prayer, I’ve decided to run for re-election as Attorney General, and not the US Senate,” Yost said in a tweet posted Monday.

Yost said he spoke in depth with Portman. “Based on his first-hand accounts, Washington just doesn’t sound like a terribly healthy place to go to work right now,” Yost said.

He added that “I have a greater impact here than I could on the back bench of the United States Senate.”

Yost has served as Delaware County prosecutor and auditor, state auditor and attorney general.

Last week, Portman announced he won’t seek a third term in the U.S. Senate, triggering a cascade of speculation on which Democrats and Republicans might run for the open seat in 2022.

Yost is the third major Republican contender to announce his plan to stay put. Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, made public last week their plans to seek re-election to their current posts as well.

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