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Columbus, OH – With another government shutdown deadline looming, Ohioans are being reminded that Bernie Moreno has called for a shutdown despite the devastating consequences it would have on Ohioans. Moreno opposed the bipartisan stopgap spending plan in September and called to shut down the federal government, which would have forced tens of thousands of Ohioans to work without pay. As Congress attempts to avoid another shutdown, Ohioans should know Moreno is not fighting for them.

“Bernie Moreno has made it clear he doesn’t care about Ohioans and supports shutting down the government, forcing thousands of Ohioans to either be furloughed or work without pay,” said ODP spokesperson Reeves Oyster. 

What you need to know about how a government shutdown would impact Ohioans:

• Ohioans receiving Social Security and Medicare could be at risk for disruptions. 

• A shutdown would also negatively impact the economy, Ohio workers, and Ohio families – an estimated 6,800 active duty troops in Ohio would not receive pay and tens of thousands of civilian employees would either be furloughed or forced to work without pay. 

• Many Ohio families, including more than 93,000 Ohio children, would also lose their access to healthy food. 

• Ohio small businesses would lose an estimated $4,627,400 in financing per business day. 

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Columbus, OH – One week into 2024 and the #OHSEN Slugfest is already getting messier and nastier. Over the weekend, the Toledo Blade Editorial Board slammed Bernie Moreno for his “questionable” judgment, being “good for the growth of Russia,” and having significant ties to the sketchy crypto industry – a “financial tool that primarily benefits criminals.”

And that’s not all. Over the weekend, Bernie Moreno threw gasoline on the slugfest fire by calling Frank LaRose a liar who is trying to salvage his “floundering” campaign. In response, Frank LaRose’s campaign shot back by calling Moreno’s credibility into question. Plus, Matt Dolan’s campaign also decided to insert themselves and throw punches at Moreno and LaRose.

Read the barbs, jabs, and latest infighting below:

Bernie Moreno: “What’s sad is that Frank LaRose’s campaign is obviously floundering.”

LaRose Campaign: “The word of a used car salesman is not to be trusted. Especially one that is losing by double digits after spending millions of dollars on campaign ads.”

Dolan Campaign: “Bernie Moreno is an ideological shapeshifter who will say or do anything to get elected. He is unvetted, untested and gaffe-prone. The more voters learn about Bernie, the less they’re going to like him.”

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Columbus, OH – It’s finally 2024, but before we jump into the scalding hot #OHSEN Slugfest fire, let’s look back on Bernie Moreno, Frank LaRose, and Matt Dolan’s biggest accomplishments – or failures – in 2023 and their New Year’s resolutions. 

Here’s a recap of what has already been called one of the “messiest, “most expensive” and “bruising” primary battles in the country. 

BERNIE MORENO: YEAR IN REVIEW

– Tried to ban abortion and take away Ohioans’ reproductive rights

–Called for a government shutdown despite the devastating repercussions for Ohio families

–Self-funded $3 million to buy himself a Senate seat after saying he wouldn’t “write [himself] a big fat check”

MORENO’S NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS FOR 2024: Ban abortion and overrule Ohioans, look out for himself, and continue refusing to stand up for the issues most important to Ohioans’ daily lives.

FRANK LAROSE: YEAR IN REVIEW

–Wasted $18 million in taxpayer funds to silence and overrule Ohioans in August… and lost

–Cost taxpayers $600,000 to move his official office to his campaign HQ

–Tried to ban abortion and take away Ohioans’ reproductive rights

–Mysteriously self-funded $250,000 and then missed important financial disclosure deadlines because he doesn’t think the rules apply to him 

LAROSE’S NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS FOR 2024: Ban abortion by overruling Ohioans and continue putting his political ambitions ahead of the people of Ohio.

MATT DOLAN: YEAR IN REVIEW

–Stayed a mega-millionaire

–Tried to ban abortion and take away Ohioans’ reproductive rights

–Enriched his campaign consultants while breaking his pledge to financially support candidates through his PAC

DOLAN’S NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS FOR 2024: Ban abortion by overruling Ohioans and try to become relevant.

TOP SLUGFEST MOMENTS FROM 2023

Bernie Moreno: “Maybe Frank LaRose decides that being Secretary of State isn’t that big of a deal… We just elected you for a job. Like, why are you looking for another one? It’s crazy. Do you not like that job? Right? Then you probably should have told us before the election.”

Bonus: Moreno calls himself an “America first political outsider” from the Bahamas.

Frank LaRose: “The one thing I lack is what those two candidates have in abundance and that is personal wealth.” 

Then where did your $250,000 campaign donation come from, Frank? 

It might be a New Year, but this Slugfest is staying as nasty as ever.

SLUGFEST COUNTDOWN

74 days left until this Slugfest comes to a head and the infighting just keeps getting worse. 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Frank LaRose on Bernie Moreno: “The last thing Ohio needs is another George Santos.”

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Ohioans Have Spoken

Columbus, OH – It’s awards season and Bernie Moreno and Frank LaRose today won coveted awards in Cleveland.com’s annual Sloopys. Ohioans made their voices clear by naming Moreno Ohio’s “Biggest Windbag” and LaRose Ohio’s “Biggest Self-Promoter.” 

Even with LaRose’s preferred 60% threshold, LaRose would still be named the Biggest Self-Promoter.

Congratulations to all celebrating!

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Columbus, OH – According to a must-read report from Cleveland.com, Frank LaRose received a “financial lifeline” through a $3 million donation from billionaire Richard Uihlein – who also funded LaRose’s August amendment to silence Ohioans.  

Read more: 

Cleveland.com: Frank LaRose needs money for his Senate race. A GOP megadonor just gave him a financial lifeline.

Andrew Tobias

December 20, 2023

• A Republican megadonor who helped bankroll the unsuccessful attempt in August to foil Ohio’s abortion-rights amendment has made a seven-figure contribution to a political group supporting Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s run for U.S. Senate, a development that could provide LaRose’s cash-strapped campaign with a financial lifeline.

• Richard Uihlein of Illinois has given $3 million to the Leadership for Ohio Fund, a Super PAC founded by LaRose’s political allies ahead of his Senate run, cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer has learned.

• The contribution will help LaRose address a major shortcoming — his lack of fundraising. LaRose’s campaign in September reported having $868,000 in its bank account, widely viewed as a weak number, even while including a $250,000 personal loan from LaRose.

• LaRose’s financial issues are especially significant because Dolan and Moreno each are independently wealthy and capable of drawing from their personal fortunes to self-fund heir own campaigns. Both have launched statewide TV ad campaigns, which LaRose has yet to be able to match. The $3 million contribution will allow LaRose to run roughly two weeks of statewide TV ads.

• The money also comes the day after ex-President Donald Trump endorsed Moreno, another major problem for LaRose, who conspicuously aimed to get Trump’s endorsement or at least keep him neutral in the race.

• Uihlein, the founder of a shipping supplies company, got involved in Ohio politics earlier this year when he spent millions supporting failed August ballot issue, championed by LaRose, that would have have made it harder to change the Ohio constitution by requiring future amendments to get 60% in a statewide vote.

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