George W. Bush visiting Cincinnati today

George W. Bush is coming to Cincinnati on Tuesday, part of his tour to help GOP senators who might be at risk of losing re-election with Donald Trump at the top of the ticket.

The former president was scheduled to headline a private fundraiser for Sen. Rob Portman at 11 a.m. at Great American Ball Park.

The New York Times in June called Bush an “unlikely savior” of the GOP, simply because he’s been mostly removed from politics since leaving the White House more than seven years ago. But concern is growing in the GOP establishment that likely presidential nominee Trump could have a negative impact on downticket races, and Bush wants to help the Republicans maintain control of the Senate.

Bush, who knows a thing or two about being unpopular in his own party, announced this spring he would neither endorse Trump nor attend the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Bush recently headlined fundraisers for Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire and Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri.

Portman and Bush have a long-standing relationship. The Terrace Park resident worked in the Bush administration as a top trade adviser and then budget director. Portman started his career in government in the late 1980s as a White House attorney under President George H. W. Bush.

George W. Bush once called Portman a “good friend, a decent man and a skilled negotiator,” although they did not always agree on fiscal issues during Portman’s one year as budget director from 2006 to 2007.

Bush has been to Cincinnati several times, including having thrown out the first pitch at Reds’ Opening Day at Great American Ball Park in 2006.