In a highly anticipated debate, Ohio Republican candidates vying to challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown clashed over border security and immigration. Businessman Bernie Moreno, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and state Sen. Matt Dolan took part in the first statewide debate, which was held at WJW Fox 8 Studios in Cleveland.
Although the candidates generally agreed on the need to fully secure the U.S.-Mexico border, they quickly clashed on the issue of immigration. Dolan accused Moreno, who was endorsed by former President Trump, of wanting to militarize the federal government and deport children. Dolan also criticized Moreno for previously working with former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s organization, advocating for a path to citizenship and residency for illegal immigrants.
LaRose, the first Green Beret candidate for Senate, defended his support for a strong military strategy and deportation of individuals who entered the country during the Biden presidency. He emphasized the urgency of addressing the border crisis and called for completing President Trump’s wall from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. LaRose also expressed support for drone strikes in Mexico, arguing that the cartels responsible for bringing drugs and crime into the U.S. should be designated as foreign terrorist organizations.
Moreno criticized LaRose’s stance on deportation, calling it “slick” and warning that such rhetoric could strain U.S.-Mexico relations. He suggested working with Mexico to eliminate the cartels, offering the incentive of becoming the United States’ largest trading partner.
During the debate, Moreno emphasized his status as a political outsider, likening himself to former President Trump. Both Moreno and LaRose dismissed the lawsuits against Trump as politically motivated and criticized what they perceived as a two-tiered justice system targeting Biden’s political enemies.
Dolan questioned Moreno’s credibility, referencing his previous statements about the January 6 demonstrators and accusing him of attempting to “reinvent himself.” He also criticized LaRose for initially claiming Ohio’s elections were secure and later suggesting problems in an attempt to secure Trump’s endorsement.
The Ohio Democratic Party characterized the debate as a display of self-interest, claiming that none of the Republican candidates were willing to fight for Ohioans or address their pressing issues. The party’s spokesperson also highlighted the candidates’ wealth, with Moreno being a millionaire from the car dealership industry and Dolan’s family owning the Cleveland Guardians baseball team.
On the topic of abortion, all three candidates expressed support for a federal limit, generally around 15 weeks, with Dolan mentioning his support for exceptions after that point. They criticized Ohio’s Issue 1, which passed in November, alleging that it would allow for “late-term abortions.”
The debate provided voters with insights into the Republican candidates’ positions on border security, immigration, and other key issues. As the race to challenge Sen. Brown heats up, Ohioans will closely watch these candidates’ campaigns and their promises to address the concerns of the state’s residents.
The article was written by Danielle Wallace, a reporter for Digital covering politics, crime, police, and more.
