#OHSEN Slugfest: Abortion Bans, $3 Million Checks, And A Bombshell Report… This Slugfest Has It All
October 6, 2023
Columbus, OH – Whether it’s supporting restrictive abortion bans, attacking each other for using their mega-fortunes to try to buy Ohio’s Senate seat, or wasting taxpayer funds while being “laser-focused” on climbing the political ladder – it’s been another week filled with #OHSEN Republicans fighting for themselves and not Ohioans.
Here’s what you missed this week in what has already been called one of the “messiest, “most expensive” and “bruising” primary battles in the country.
AS OHIOANS PREPARE TO VOTE ON PROTECTING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, THE ENTIRE #OHSEN FIELD SUPPORTS ABORTION BANS
Ohioans will vote on an amendment to protect abortion rights in a month and one thing is clear: the entire #OHSEN field supports dangerous abortion bans that would put them in charge of Ohioans’ private healthcare decisions.
Here’s what you need to know:
At his campaign launch, Bernie Moreno said he is “unequivocally pro-life.” Moreno supports a national abortion ban and does not support exceptions for rape, incest, or the life of the mother.
Frank LaRose supports a national abortion ban, opposes exceptions for rape or incest, and celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade. LaRose has also said he supports Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s blockade of top military confirmations – saying Tuberville’s position is “the same position I would support in the Senate.”
Matt Dolan celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade, calling it “exciting.” Dolan said defeating the November amendment – which would overturn Ohio’s restrictive abortion law with no exceptions for rape or incest – is a “priority.”
BERNIE MORENO AND MATT DOLAN EXCHANGE BARBS FOR TRYING TO BUY OHIO’S SENATE SEAT AFTER THEY BOTH TRY TO BUY OHIO’S SENATE SEAT
We figured Bernie Moreno and Matt Dolan would both use their mega millions to try to buy Ohio’s Senate seat, but attacking each other after they both wrote themselves a $3 million check? That’s priceless.
FRANK LAROSE GETS CAUGHT CAMPAIGNING IN TAXPAYER FUNDED OFFICE…
If you thought LaRose couldn’t stoop any lower on his quest to climb the political ladder, you were wrong. This week, after dodging questions for weeks (see below) from Ohioans, media outlets and Ohio lawmakers, a new report from the Ohio Capital Journal caught LaRose campaigning from a taxpayer-funded office – potentially violating Ohio Ethics code.
THEN… A BOMBSHELL REPORTS SHOWS “TURNOVER PLAGUES” SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE WHILE LAROSE IS “LASER-FOCUSED” ON HIS SENATE CAMPAIGN
After LaRose was in the headlines again for wasting taxpayer funds, a bombshell report detailed how the Secretary of State’s Office is “plague[d]” by turnover as the office is “laser-focused” on supporting LaRose’s campaign for Ohio’s Senate seat. Read more from The Columbus Dispatch:
“Three other former employees say the source of these problems is management laser-focused on electing LaRose as Ohio’s next U.S. senator and unwilling to listen to seasoned election experts. The USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau is not naming the ex-staffers because they fear retaliation.”
“The staffing challenges also created more opportunities for mistakes. In June, the secretary of state’s office sent the wrong ballot language to county boards of elections for August’s Issue 1.”
“It has been the forefront of everything, whether it was how the office is going to be organized, how the next year and a half are going to go,” the third former employee said. “Everything revolved around the Senate run.”
WHAT OHIOANS ARE READING ABOUT THE #OHSEN SLUGFEST THIS WEEK
The Messenger: Ohio Senate Candidate Matt Dolan Raises $4.1M in Third Quarter, Takes Aim at Rival
Cleveland.com: Ohio’s November vote on abortion rights is overshadowing the U.S. Senate race. Where do the candidates stand?
Ohio Capital Journal: Even before office move is complete, Ohio Sec. of State LaRose appears to blur ethical lines
Columbus Dispatch: As Frank LaRose eyes U.S. Senate, turnover plagues Ohio secretary of state’s office
SLUGFEST COUNTDOWN
165 days left until this Slugfest comes to a head and the infighting just keeps getting worse.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Bernie Moreno on Matt Dolan: “As I say about my other opponent, I had to learn how to play Cowboys and Indians, I guess it was called Cowboys and Guardians in his house.”
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