YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Latest on the debate in Ohio's U.S. Senate race: (all times local):

1:45 p.m.

Republican U.S. Sen. Rob Portman says a video showing Donald Trump boasting about groping women was the last straw for him and why he pulled his endorsement.

Portman said in a debate with Democratic challenger Ted Strickland on Friday in Youngstown that those comments by the GOP nominee for president were offensive and demeaning to women.

Portman said it was a difficult decision because as a Republican he supports his party and believes Trump's policies are better on rebuilding the military and growing the economy.

He also criticized Strickland for staying silent when Hillary Clinton called half of Trump's supporters a "basket of deplorables."

Strickland called Portman's decision to withdraw his support for Trump "cowardice" given how many other comments offensive to women and minorities the Republican had already made.

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12:15 p.m.

A Republican senator from Ohio, who recently rescinded his support for Donald Trump, and his Democratic challenger are holding their first debate.

GOP U.S. Sen. Rob Portman emphasized his work to stop human trafficking, fight the country's heroin epidemic and aid struggling steel workers.

He called himself an independent voice for Ohio in a debate Friday in Youngstown.

Ted Strickland, a former Democratic Ohio governor, criticized Portman for supporting trade deals that Strickland said have cost American jobs.

Portman said Ohio lost 355,000 jobs when Strickland was governor, which coincided with the national recession.

Strickland said Ohio had the fifth-fastest growing economy when he left office.

Portman is well ahead of Strickland in fundraising and polls.

The two meet again in Columbus on Monday and in Cleveland on Oct. 20.

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12:40 a.m.

A Republican senator from Ohio, who recently rescinded his support for Donald Trump, and his Democratic challenger are set to hold their first debate.

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman and Ted Strickland will square off on Friday in Youngstown.

The debate comes amid renewed attention to the Senate race after Portman pulled his endorsement of Trump following the release of a 2005 video, which captures the Republican presidential nominee making lewd comments about women.

Portman said he had hoped to support Trump out of respect for the millions of people who voted for him.

Strickland, a former Ohio governor, released ads this week calling Portman cowardly.

Portman has been well ahead of Strickland in fundraising and polls.

The two meet again in Columbus on Monday and in Cleveland on Oct. 20.

News from © The Associated Press, 2016