What You Missed This Week in #OHSEN: This “Family Fight” is Full Steam Ahead
June 2, 2023
Ohio Republicans’ “family fight” is full steam ahead. Here’s what you missed in what has already been called one of the “messiest, “most expensive” and “bruising” primary battles in the country.
NOTHING CAN STOP THIS “FAMILY FIGHT”
Nothing can stop this “family fight” from devolving into a chaotic mess. With the candidates wasting no time attacking one another, it’s clear whoever emerges from this primary will be bruised, battered and out of touch with Ohioans. But don’t take it from us:
J.D. Vance: “We’re going to have a very brutal primary in the State of Ohio, just like we did in 2022.”
Cook Political Report: “This is still a primary that could become hotly contested.”
USA TODAY: “[The prospect of unseating a Democratic incumbent] threatens to produce a wide open GOP primary similar to the knock-down, drag-out fight in 2022 for the nomination for the state’s other Senate seat.”
SPEAKING OF ATTACKS… LAROSE HAS A BAD WEEK, THROWS ELBOWS AT MORENO AND DOLAN
Frank LaRose had another terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week as his “shadow campaign” for Ohio’s Senate seat raised more ethics concerns. While the pressure mounts, LaRose is throwing elbows at his opponents, telling donors that “neither of them have the strength” to win.

Read the highlights:
The Columbus Dispatch: “But some campaign finance experts say the arrangement allows the secretary of state to raise limitless funds in the dark while promoting a potential U.S. Senate bid…Still, critics believe LaRose, as the state’s chief election official, should be held to a higher standard.”
Tribune Chronicle: “Perhaps LaRose’s campaign should steer a little further away from ‘isn’t really illegal.’”
WEWS: “Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose sent out a fundraising request disguised as an important letter, confusing and upsetting voters… ‘I’ve been horrified by it and thinking that LaRose is using his office in this way, taking advantage of his position,’ he said. ‘It was an attempt to mislead me.’”
DONALD TRUMP CASTS BIG SHADOW IN #OHSEN, STORM BREWS AHEAD OF MIKE PENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
Trump’s presence continues to cast a big shadow on the primary field as some candidates rush to curry favor with the former President while others *cough* Matt Dolan and Frank LaRose *cough* are either ignoring or downplaying the former President’s influence.
With three new contenders expected to get in the Presidential primary next week, one thing is certain…