Portman campaign attacks Strickland for supporting Iran deal

Sen. Rob Portman’s campaign is continuing its online onslaught against Ted Strickland, hitting the former Ohio governor on Thursday with its seventh ad of the cycle. 

{mosads}The Portman campaign’s new 45-second digital ad, first viewed by The Hill, attacks Strickland for backing the Obama administration’s nuclear deal with Iran. 

It’s the latest in a six-figure ad buy focused on Strickland’s record as governor, his time at a liberal think tank in Washington and his support for Democratic initiatives. 

The new ad criticizes the Obama administration’s nuclear deal, saying it “gives Iran billions of dollars” that it can use to “support terrorist groups.” The ad says Iran will get to inspect its own nuclear facilities without the presence of international monitors, despite the nation having “violated international agreements for decades.” 

“Instead of standing up for our security, Strickland is standing up with President Obama on Iran,” the ad concludes. “Ted Strickland’s bad judgment is wrong for Ohio.” 

Republicans believe Democratic support for the nuclear deal will be a potent weapon for the GOP heading into 2016 as the party seeks to hold on to its majority in the Senate. 

The National Republican Senatorial Committee has been slamming Democrats over the issue on a near-daily basis. 

Ohio Democratic Party spokeswoman Jennifer Donohue shot back at Portman, calling into question his judgment on matters related to foreign policy.

“It’s shocking Senator Portman would talk about bad judgment given that Portman voted for the war in Iraq and for eight free trade agreements that shipped Ohio jobs overseas, while Ted Strickland voted against the war in Iraq and against eight free trade agreements that shipped Ohio jobs overseas,” she said in a statement.

The Ohio Senate race is expected to be one of the most hotly contested of the cycle. Recent polls show Portman and Strickland are essentially tied. 

Portman has been digging into his massive campaign funds early to get a jump on Strickland. 

Money will not be an issue for Portman, who is consistently one of the Senate’s top fundraisers. 

Portman finished the second quarter with more than $10 million in cash on hand, compared to only $1.2 million for Strickland, who has had a much smaller fundraising window.

Outside conservative groups, including Americans for Prosperity and the Chamber of Commerce, have also been spending early in Ohio to support Portman’s reelection bid.