Robert Jones Portman, commonly known as Rob Portman, is an American attorney and Republican politician who served as a United States Senator from Ohio from 2011 to 2023. Born on December 19, 1955, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Portman began his political career as a U.S. Representative for Ohio's 2nd congressional district from 1993 to 2005, where he focused on trade, tax policy, and budget issues. In 2005, he was appointed as the 14th United States Trade Representative under President George W. Bush, negotiating trade agreements and promoting free trade policies. He later served as the 35th Director of the Office of Management and Budget from 2006 to 2007, overseeing federal budgeting and management, and also worked as White House Counsel and Domestic Policy Chief of Staff during the Bush administration. After leaving the Senate in 2023, Portman has remained active in public policy discussions, particularly on trade, bipartisanship, and economic issues, and has taken on advisory roles and think tank positions focused on global trade and governance. He is known for his moderate Republican stance, supporting some bipartisan efforts on infrastructure and criminal justice reform while maintaining conservative positions on taxes and trade. Portman has significant ties to Ohio business networks, including campaign funding from Ohio billionaire Les Wexner, founder of L Brands, and comes from a family with deep roots in Ohio business. He is married to Jane Portman, and they have three children. Throughout his career, he has been criticized by progressives for his close ties to corporate donors and support of certain trade deals, but is generally regarded as a pragmatic legislator.