WILMINGTON, Ohio -- Facing the loss of more than 8,000 jobs at DHL, Sen. Sherrod Brown asked the White House for help Wednesday.

Brown spoke with President Bush’s Chief of Staff, Joshua Bolten.

In a written statement, Brown said he asked Bolten to appoint a senior administration official to “marshal assistance on the issue.”

“Job loss at this scale has the potential to cripple entire communities in southwest Ohio,” Brown said.

Brown also asked the White House to expedite a Justice Department anti-trust review of DHL’s plan to end its contract with ABX and ASTAR in Wilmington and hire UPS to handle air freight for the company.

Brown said Wilmington has been a good home for DHL and the community has provided its full support.

“It is unconscionable to think that DHL would respond by betraying our families and our communities. I will continue to work with my colleagues and the White House to make sure southwest Ohio gets the help it needs,” Brown said.

DHL has maintained the deal with UPS does not violate any anti-trust regulations.

In recent years, the state of Ohio has provided more than $7 million in direct support to DHL.

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland met with DHL top executives several weeks ago to see if anything could be done to preserve jobs in Wilmington. The executives made no promises.

The state has since named a task force to examine possible options for future options, including legal action.

Jim.otte@whiotv.com