Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is officially in the race for U.S. Senate for 2024. On this episode of Snollygoster, host Steve Brown discusses the timing of LaRose's announcement and recent polling on Issue 1. Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau Chief Karen Kasler joins the show.
GOP Senate Race
To the surprise of no one, LaRose officially announced his run for U.S. Senate. He joins a field of Republicans — including businessman Bernie Moreno and Ohio Senator Matt Dolan — vying to take on Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown next year.
Dolan and Moreno have an advantage in funds because of sizable personal wealth to lean on. While LaRose might be behind in fundraising, a new poll from Suffolk University and USA Today gives him a five-point lead over Dolan and a 10-point lead over Moreno.
LaRose has also won a statewide election twice and has significant name recognition.
Issue 1 Polls Shows Voters Likely Against Amendement
That same poll also showed that most Ohioans are not supportive of Issue 1, the ballot measure that would raise the threshold for voters need to pass an amendment to the state constitution to 60%.
According to the poll, 57% of likely voters are against the measure, 26% are for it, and 17% are undecided.
Related - Ohio voter guide: What to know about the August special election
Snollygoster of the week
The Biden Harris campaign shrewdly took a clip of Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene denouncing him and spun it into an ad touting his vision and accomplishments as a continuation of the legacy of presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson.
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