evidence: Yet the race to replace retiring Sen. Rob Portman became one of the most-watched in the nation as Republicans fought harder than planned to keep a seat critical to a GOP Senate majority. Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan raised millions of dollars and took advantage of a bruising GOP primary to keep the race close until the very end. [...] Tim Ryan gave Republicans a run for their money Ryan raised $48 million since he began his campaign and spent almost all of it saturating the airwaves. He spoke to independents and moderate Republicans with the awareness of someone who knew he faced an uphill battle. His ads criticized Democrats and commended former President Donald Trump's trade policies.