Former U.S. Sen. Rob Portman backs Matt Dolan in heated GOP Ohio Senate primary

Former U.S. Sen. Rob Portman is backing Matt Dolan in Ohio's Republican U.S. Senate primary, a nod that could boost Dolan's profile in the final days of the race.

In a letter to Ohioans, Portman and his wife, Jane Portman, cast Dolan as a problem-solver who is best equipped to tackle the economy, border security and other issues in Washington. Dolan, a state senator from Chagrin Falls, is running against businessman Bernie Moreno and Secretary of State Frank LaRose in the March 19 primary.

The winner will take on Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in one of the country's most important U.S. Senate races. The Associated Press first reported Portman's endorsement on Friday.

Voter guide: What you need to know to vote in Ohio

"In the United States Senate one principled voice can truly make a difference," the Portmans wrote. "America needs more leaders willing to stand by the courage of their convictions."

Portman, a Cincinnati Republican, retired from the U.S. Senate in 2022 after a long career defined by his willingness to broker deals and dig into policy. Near the end of his tenure, he helped orchestrate a bipartisan infrastructure law that's provided funding to fix roads and bridges, including the Brent Spence Bridge between Ohio and Kentucky.

After his retirement, Portman joined forces with the University of Cincinnati to launch the Portman Center for Policy Solutions. Rob and Jane Portman have also continued to wield their influence in Ohio politics. Before the formal endorsement, Jane Portman donated to Dolan's campaign and co-hosted a fundraiser for him.

In 2022, Portman endorsed former Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timken to replace him. She lost that primary to Portman's eventual successor, Sen. J.D. Vance.

"Sen. Portman showed that a good public servant not only delivers results, but also safeguards the inheritance of future generations," Dolan said in a statement. "His service to Ohio and leadership on behalf of our nation and the cause of freedom continue to live up to that charge."

Portman's decision came less than two weeks before the March 19 primary, with early voting already underway. It set him apart from Vance and former President Donald Trump, both of whom endorsed Moreno for the GOP nomination. LaRose's high-profile backers include U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, and Buckeye Firearms.

"Bernie is proud to be endorsed by actual conservatives in this primary including President Trump, J.D. Vance, Jim Jordan, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Mike Lee, Dave Yost, Vivek Ramaswamy and countless others," Moreno spokeswoman Reagan McCarthy said. "There is a clear contrast in this primary: America-First versus America-Last."

LaRose's campaign declined to comment.

The nod from Portman could help Dolan make inroads in southwest Ohio − something Moreno is also trying to do. Moreno secured support from the family of Carl Lindner III, a wealthy businessman and GOP donor who owns FC Cincinnati. The Lindners raised money for Moreno in late February, and his campaign held a fundraiser in Butler County with Vance and Donald Trump Jr.

"The contest for the Republican nomination includes three candidates who are good people, who care deeply about our state," the Portmans said. "After much consideration, we feel that Matt Dolan’s conservative record of accomplishment and his commitment to continue to focus on achieving results in the U.S. Senate set him apart."

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Former Sen. Rob Portman endorses Matt Dolan in Ohio Senate race 2024