Possible candidate for Ohio's 2024 Senate race bows out

The GOP primary for Ohio's 2024 U.S. Senate race just got a little less messy.

After eyeing a potential run, U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Troy, said he's scrapping that plan and will seek another term in Ohio's 8th Congressional District. Davidson said he wants to focus on his work in the House, where Republicans hold a narrow majority and can't afford to lose votes for their policy priorities.

"I am confident that Ohio’s voters are onto Sherrod Brown and will send him home," Davidson said in Tuesday letter to supporters, first reported by Cleveland.com. "I shall always wonder if it would have been me, but it won’t. Instead, I will continue to defend freedom from Ohio’s 8th District and seek re-election in 2024."

Davidson built a political team and mulled the decision for months. He was also courted by the conservative group Club for Growth, which backed former Ohio treasurer Josh Mandel in the 2022 Senate race. The group likely would've funneled money into the race to boost Davidson's campaign.

That could have complicated the primary. Club for Growth has been at odds with former President Donald Trump and aired ads in 2022 blasting Trump's pick for Senate, J.D. Vance. For 2024, Trump appears to be leaning toward Cleveland businessman Bernie Moreno, although he hasn't issued an official endorsement.

So, what now? With Davidson out, the only major question mark is Secretary of State Frank LaRose. LaRose has been courting donors and teasing a late summer announcement for his decision.

"I'm seriously considering running for this office because I think we need somebody with a conservative backbone of steel who's actually battle tested and ready to take Sherrod Brown on and to defeat him," LaRose told Republicans at a recent Lincoln Day dinner in northwest Ohio.

Until then, the GOP field is just Moreno and state Sen. Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls. With or without LaRose, this primary is shaping up to be less...theatrical than 2022.

Tax relief for parents could be on the way

Ohio parents and guardians may soon pay a little less for items for their babies and small children.

The Senate is poised to consider legislation today that would waive the sales tax for these products:

• Children’s diapers

• Car and booster seats

• Baby carriers

• Strollers

• Cribs, including portable cribs

• Baby monitors

It would not change current law, which exempts diapers from the sales tax during Ohio's sales tax holiday in August.

The proposal is in line with Gov. Mike DeWine's goals for the next state budget. During his State of the State address in January, DeWine focused heavily on policies aimed at improving the well being of children and families. The sales tax exemption was part of his initial budget proposal, and House lawmakers kept that in the version they passed last month.

What do you want to know about the August election?

Summer is upon us, which means the debate over whether it should be harder to amend Ohio's Constitution will start heating up.

The election is Aug. 8, and we'll continue to cover the issue over the next few months. But we want to break through the noise and make sure we give you the information you need.

So, what do you want to know? Do you or your friends and family have questions about election deadlines, what the ballot will look like, or something else entirely? Shoot me an email and let me know what stories would be most helpful.

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Until next week,

Haley BeMiller

Questions or story ideas? Email me at hbemiller@dispatch.com. You can find me on Twitter @haleybemiller.

Check out the latest episode of Ohio Politics Explained and tune in for a new episode on Friday. You can subscribe through Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Possible candidate for Ohio's 2024 Senate race bows out