Politics

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Ohio Supreme Court has rejected a liberal policy group's lawsuit challenging certification of a fall ballot measure that seeks to exempt the state from parts of the federal health care overhaul.

The court's decision clears the so-called Health Care Freedom Amendment for the Nov. 8 ballot.

WEST CHESTER, Ohio - About 100 demonstrators protested outside the Cincinnati office of U.S. House Speaker John Boehner - with some later going to a Columbus country club after hearing he might be there.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that on Tuesday the protesters stood outside the West Chester Township office chanting.

The newspaper reports that a woman kicked the office door, which was locked, but police made no arrests.

The Service Employees International Union says demonstrators want Boehner to focus on jobs for his district.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio's junior senator is endorsing Republican state treasurer Josh Mandel in the 2012 race for U.S. Senate.

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman says in a statement released by Mandel on Tuesday said that he would provide the necessary focus on jobs and the economy. Portman says he has helped Mandel and will continue to do so.

Mandel faces former state Sen. Kevin Coughlin. So far, Coughlin is the only announced candidate in a GOP primary that will decide who faces incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown.