Why the mayor won’t endorse a 3rd Ward candidate By Patrick Keck - pkeck@aimmediamidwest.com PORTSMOUTH — In politics, it all comes down to who has your back. Having someone’s back can mean anything from a vote to also publicly proclaiming support through front-yard signs or Facebook posts. Endorsements of candidates are commonplace during any political season, regardless of what level. While the Scioto County Republican and Democrat parties backed the Trump-Pence or Biden-Harris ticket respectively last fall, they also pledged support to state and county candidates. The 2021 elections will not have the draw of a presidential or even a congressional vote, a hyper-focused local attention instead of the case. The game for these local candidates- races in Portsmouth and New Boston city councils- however remains the same: winning votes.