What makes the main Republican candidates in Ohio’s race for U.S. Senate different

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The three main Republican contenders in the U.S. Senate primary have many things in common, including that each wants to see Ohio’s incumbent Democrat, Sherrod Brown, unseated in November.

But what makes them different?

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Some of that will become apparent at 7 p.m. Monday when state Sen. Matt Dolan, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and businessman Bernie Moreno meet in a primary debate in Cleveland. The hourlong debate, hosted by Nexstar stations across Ohio, will be broadcast live on NBC4 and streamed live here on NBC4i.com.

Here is a little bit about each, and how he stands apart from the others.

Matt Dolan

Of the three, Dolan is the sole moderate. Although this may not appeal to voters who favor former President Donald Trump, it appears to be helping him in a hypothetical general election. A November poll showed Dolan had the best shot in a matchup with Brown.

Since starting his campaign, Dolan has continually separated himself from Trump, criticized his opponents for their response to the U.S. Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021, and more.

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In a race that has seen Moreno and LaRose compete for Trump’s endorsement, Dolan provides the change of pace. By positioning himself as a moderate, anti-Trump candidate, Dolan may hold enough support to rival his opponents during the primary election on March 19.

Frank LaRose

The candidate with the best name recognition entering the race was LaRose. A December poll showed LaRose held a strong lead in the primary field, but that was before Moreno, who finished third in that poll, received Trump’s endorsement.

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As secretary of state, LaRose oversees the state’s elections and appoints the members of boards of elections in each of Ohio’s 88 counties, among other duties.

Despite missing out on Trump’s endorsement, LaRose continues to align himself with the former president. In the debate, he will get a chance to show Trump supporters why he should have been endorsed instead.

Bernie Moreno

Moreno, a political outsider, earned Trump’s endorsement toward the end of 2023. Last year after receiving Trump’s endorsement, J.D. Vance went on to beat Moreno in the primary and the general election to replace the retiring Rob Portman.

Moreno has received multiple other endorsements in recent weeks, including from Vance, Rep. Jim Jordan, and others.

Moreno is a businessman instead of a career politician, and he focuses on a lot of the same issues as Trump. Any voters looking for the Trump candidate might be watching Moreno the closest.

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