CINCINNATI (AP): Vice President Joe Biden is helping raise money for the Democratic effort to unseat Ohio’s Republican U.S. senator.

Biden is headlining a Tuesday fundraising breakfast for former Gov. Ted Strickland at a downtown Cincinnati hotel. Tickets started at $500.

Democrats are targeting incumbent Rob Portman in their bid to win back a Senate majority.

Small groups of demonstrators rallied Monday outside offices for Portman and several other GOP senators protesting their refusal to consider President Barack Obama’s choice of Merrick Garland to fill the U.S. Supreme Court vacancy. Portman has said that decision should wait for the next president.

Strickland has criticized Portman’s position as their closely watched race heats up after both handily won March 15 primaries. The Biden fundraiser was scheduled even before Strickland had clinched the nomination.