Ohio GOP Senate Candidates Clash in First Statewide Debate

Moreno, LaRose, and Dolan vie for Trump's endorsement, agree on federal abortion limit and border security but differ on approach

Three Republican candidates for Ohio's U.S. Senate seat, Bernie Moreno, Frank LaRose, and Matt Dolan, clashed in their first statewide debate, with each presenting themselves as the best candidate to carry forward former President Donald Trump's policies.
Moreno, who has Trump's endorsement, emphasized his status as a political outsider, while LaRose, Ohio's Secretary of State, presented himself as an unshakeable ally of Trump. Dolan, a state senator, pledged to support Trump if he's the GOP's 2024 presidential nominee, despite not seeking his endorsement.
All three candidates agreed on the need for some form of federal limit on abortion access and securing the southern U.S. border. However, they differed on the approach, with Dolan accusing Moreno of wanting to militarize the federal government and deport children, and LaRose calling for the deployment of three military divisions to the border.
Dolan was the most aggressive on stage, accusing his rivals of 'phony' reverence for Trump and of deleting past negative comments about the former president. He also criticized Moreno for shredding documents while facing wage theft lawsuits in Massachusetts.
Despite the heated exchanges, all three candidates refrained from criticizing Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown or President Joe Biden directly, focusing instead on positioning themselves in relation to Trump's policies.