GOP state senator blasts Trump reelection bid as other Ohio Republicans rally behind him

A Republican Ohio state senator and likely 2024 U.S. Senate contender came out against Donald Trump's reelection bid on Wednesday, saying his party needs to move forward with new leadership.

The statement from GOP state Sen. Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls, came hours after the former president announced that he will make a third run for the White House in 2024. Trump hinted at his plans during an election eve rally in Ohio, but Republicans urged him to delay the announcement until after a runoff for the U.S. Senate seat in Georgia in December.

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Trump went ahead anyway, even as GOP leaders weigh his influence after Republicans fell short of national expectations in the Nov. 8 midterms. The party is poised to gain a narrow majority in the U.S. House but failed to reclaim control of the Senate.

Matt Dolan, Sherrod Brown oppose Trump running for presidency in 2024

“The challenges confronting America require moving on from petty grievances, conspiracy theories and personality politics," Dolan said Wednesday. "To be a governing party, to be a growing party, then Republicans must look to the future. We should ignore calls for a coronation and instead empower Republican voters, the rank and file, to determine a path forward with a robust and competitive presidential primary."

Dolan came in third in this year's GOP Senate primary and was the only candidate who did not seek Trump's endorsement. Earlier this week, he penned a letter to Republican county leaders hinting at his interest in running against Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown in 2024.

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Brown, who has said he'll run for reelection, did not mince words about Trump's announcement.

“He’s unfit to be president of the United States," Brown told reporters Wednesday. "I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. I’ve made it clear what I think about him. What saddens me is how he’s taken over one political party. He has essentially exercised his veto power on the Republican nominee in many races across the country."

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Dolan's comments were in stark contrast to endorsements for Trump that quickly came from some of his key allies in Ohio, including U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, and U.S. Rep. Mike Carey, R-Columbus. Jordan, who has been tied to Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, said he "did more of what he said he’d do than any President in our lifetime."

Former Trump aide Max Miller, who won a race in the 7th Congressional District last week, said he's backing the man who was once his boss: "I wouldn’t be here without his support, and President Trump will always have my support," Miller tweeted Tuesday.

Other Republicans were less eager to talk about Trump's reelection bid.

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Gov. Mike DeWine's campaign declined to comment, and representatives for Secretary of State Frank LaRose did not respond to messages. Trump endorsed DeWine and LaRose in the Nov. 8 election.

Sen.-elect J.D. Vance did not immediately weigh in on the announcement, although he recently penned an editorial critical of Republicans who are blaming midterm losses on Trump. Vance's campaign also sent out a fundraising text message Tuesday night highlighting the "breaking news" that Trump had announced his 2024 campaign.

"President Trump just announced that he is running in 2024 and needs you to support all Trump-endorsed candidates!" read the message, which linked to a donation page for Vance's campaign.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Republicans differ on Donald Trump 2024 reelection bid