Ohio Republican Senate nominee Rob Portman's father passed away on Tuesday, leaving the campaign's schedule in flux for the next few days.

Portman's father, Bill, began the highly successful business, Portman Equipment Company, which Portman mentions on the stump when he talks about job creation.

"He was larger than life to us growing up," Portman's family said in a statement. "He was a hard worker who started his own business, building it from the ground up. But he always kept our family first. He was a caring, attentive husband and father who passed down to us the core values of honesty, integrity, faith, respect for others, and community service. He also shared with us his love of the outdoors and hunting and fishing. It was some of those moments out of doors we shared as a family together that we value most."

This is the second difficult personal experience for Portman this summer; he broke his collar bone at a fundraiser that also took him off the trail for a day. He continues to lead Democratic opponent Lee Fisher in the polls.

Portman and Fisher announced their debate schedule earlier today, as well. They plan to hold three one-hour debates in Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo. The only firm date, however, is October 8 in Cleveland.