Ohio Secretary of State Frank Larose on Monday launched his bid for the Republican Senate nomination in what is shaping up as one of the pivotal races of the 2024 cycle.
The winner of the primary — which also includes Sen. Matt Dolan, a part owner of the Cleveland Guardians baseball team and businessman Bernie Moreno — will take on Sen. Sherrod Brown, seen as one of the most vulnerable Democrats up for reelection next year.
Mr. Larose’s campaign launch video features footage of him jogging outside and lamenting how rising prices from inflation, the flow of drugs and criminals across the U.S.-Mexico border, and challenges to parental rights in education make it seem as though “our country is slipping away.”
“As a dad of three young girls I know something has to change — someone needs to step up and take on the fight,” Mr. LaRose says. “Well, I’m a Green Beret, a conservative, a man of faith and I am not afraid of a fight.”
“I’m on a mission to give back to the state that has given me so much, to continue to serve the country I love and fight to protect the values we share,” he says. “That is why I am running to serve as your next United States senator.”
Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Reeves Oyster said the GOP primary “slugfest for Ohio’s Senate seat is shaping up to be another long, contentious battle that will leave whoever emerges damaged in the eyes of Ohio voters.”
“In the days ahead, the people of Ohio should ask themselves: ’What is Frank LaRose really doing for us?” Mr. Oyster said.
Mr. Larose has had more electoral success than his top primary rivals.
He was elected secretary of state in 2019 and again last year. Prior to that, he served in Ohio State Senate.
Mr. Brown is seeking his fourth term in the Senate.
Former President Donald Trump has not yet endorsed a candidate in the race, but he did urge Mr. Moreno to run. Mr. Moreno’s daughter is married to Rep. Max Miller, a former Trump White House official.
Mr. Brown won reelection in 2018 by almost 7 percentage points. The state, however, has been moving to the right and Mr. Trump carried Ohio by an 8-point margin in the 2020 presidential race.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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