Dolan vs. Moreno: Parallel Pockets in the Ohio Senate Showdown

Republican Senate hopeful Matt Dolan, an affluent state senator and part-owner of the Cleveland Guardians, reported raising $4.1 million in the recent third quarter for his Ohio Senate campaign. A significant portion, $3 million, came directly from his finances. Currently, his campaign reserves stand at $6.8 million.

In a closely contested primary, Dolan is one of the contenders competing to challenge Sen. Sherrod Brown in 2024, a mainly targeted seat for the upcoming elections. Interestingly, his fundraising achievement mirrors his rival, Bernie Moreno, who reported a $4.1 million collection, with $3 million being self-contributed. Details about the campaign funding of the third significant contender, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, remain pending. Notably, while both Moreno and LaRose seek an endorsement from former President Trump, Dolan has opted not to.

Markedly, the funds Dolan amassed from external donors have significantly increased. While the previous quarter saw him collecting a little above $320,000 without personal contributions, this quarter saw a spike with the addition of influential Ohio-based donors. Among them, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, proprietors of the Cleveland Browns football team, were particularly noteworthy.

With the deadline for all federal candidates to declare their third-quarter fundraising set for October 15, the period in question spans from July 1 through September 30.

Ohio remains a high-priority Senate seat for the GOP in 2024. However, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, under the leadership of Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), has opted to remain neutral in the primary, indicating contentment with any of the three leading candidates securing the nomination.