It was a no-brainer for Rob Portman. Does the junior U.S. senator value the support of Ohio's popular governor, John Kasich, over that of Donald Trump, the Republican Party's battered presidential candidate? "Yes. No one is more important than John Kasich in this campaign," Portman quickly replied, citing Kasich's record as governor, which he said has earned him the respect of Ohioans.

It was a no-brainer for Rob Portman.

Does the junior U.S. senator value the support of Ohio's popular governor, John Kasich, over that of Donald Trump, the Republican Party's battered presidential candidate?

"Yes. No one is more important than John Kasich in this campaign," Portman quickly replied, citing Kasich's record as governor, which he said has earned him the respect of Ohioans.

"I don't think there's any surrogate who is more effective ... I talk about John Kasich on the campaign because it's what we need to do in Washington D.C."

Portman is counting on Kasich to continue to rally to his side as he defends his seat against the Democrat who Kasich dumped from office in 2010 -- former Gov. Ted Strickland.

Appearing at a made-for-media event at a Portman campaign office near Ohio State University this afternoon, Kasich and Portman both said that the federal government needs to emulate the tax and economic upgrades they said have elevated Ohio's fortunes.

Saying the Republican Party "can't be stuck in the 1980s," Kasich described Portman, a former colleague in the U.S. House, as representing "21st Century thinking" on the environment, civil rights and other issues.

Kasich, who has refused to support Trump because he's too divisive, said Portman will win come Nov. 8 and called his re-election "my highest priority" as the governor also travels to other states to support GOP candidates. He revealed he has filmed TV commericals, which have yet to air, on Portman's behalf.

Portman and Kasich are not in lock step on everything. After staying on the sidelines for months, Portman finally supported Kasich as he ran for president, but ultimately endorsed Trump while still trying to keep his distance from the top of the ticket.

Asked about their differing views on Trump, Kasich said, "Well, I'm for Portman ... It's not difficult. I'm a Republican. I've been one all my lifetime and I support kind of the Republican orthodoxy, although I would like to see it change."

Ohio Democratic Chairman David Pepper was more willing to contrast the senator and governor's divergent opinions of Trump.

He praised Kasich's "real political courage" for his refusal to endorse Trump. "Rob Portman has been unable to show that same courage," Pepper said. "The lesson Rob Portman should learn from John Kasich is ... if you find some inner courage and step up, the voters respect that."

Pepper said Portman is "trying to have it both ways" -- harvesting some of the "Trump energy" from his core supporters while being able to "walk around suburban Cincinnati and say, 'I'm not that into Donald Trump."

rludlow@dispatch.com

@RandyLudlow