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Do endorsements matter in Ohio’s primary?

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – There is exactly one week left until Ohio’s primary election on March 19, and several notable endorsements have been made, especially in the three-way Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

Ohio voters are set to decide whether Matt Dolan, Frank LaRose or Bernie Moreno is most fit to run against incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) in November, but will each candidate’s endorsements pull any weight?


“I think endorsements have limited sway now, one exception,” Democratic strategist Dale Butland said. “Donald Trump.”

“Endorsements do matter in primaries, whether it be a Republican primary or a Democratic primary,” Republican strategist Mike Gonidakis said.

Since the start of the race, there have been several notable endorsements handed down, including Moreno receiving the endorsement from former President Donald Trump, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. Butland said the Trump endorsement is key.

“His cult, his base, has shown over and over again that they will do anything he asks them to do,” Butland said. “When Trump makes an endorsement in a Republican primary, it usually carries the day.”

Dolan has gotten support from two “pillars of the Ohio Republican party:” former U.S. Sen. Rob Portman and Gov. Mike DeWine. DeWine did not make an endorsement in the last U.S. Senate primary and has told reporters several times he did not plan to make any this time either.

When asked on Feb. 24 whether he planned to make an endorsement, DeWine said no, then doubled down a week later.

“I’m waiting to see who Republican voters in Ohio select to run for the United States Senate,” DeWine said. “Once that is decided, I am going to do whatever I can to help that candidate be elected to the Senate.”

Butland said despite DeWine’s stance last month, Dolan may have been able to use data to grab the endorsement.

“I’m going to guess that Dolan has some internal polling that shows him within striking distance,” Butland said. “What we have to ask ourselves is, ‘Will the Trump endorsement, the Ohio Right to Life endorsement pull more weight to the base than a Mike DeWine or any other endorsement,’” Gonidakis said.

LaRose has pulled in the backing of several statehouse elected officials and prominent groups like Ohio Right to Life (which also endorsed Moreno), the Buckeye Firearms Association, and Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10). Gonidakis said endorsements like that can help Republicans set candidates apart in what is a “family matter,” so to speak.

“The average voter may not have the time to invest and learn about all the candidates’ issues, so what they’ll do is they’ll look to someone that they like and respect,” Gonidakis said. “One or 2 points could separate the difference between these candidates.”

“Gone are the days when voters would be swayed by somebody famous telling them who to vote for,” Butland said.

All three candidates have campaign stops scheduled throughout the state this week. That schedule includes a Moreno rally with Trump this weekend.

“Having President Trump’s presence in Ohio, physically, not just on social media or in a video, matter tremendously,” Gonidakis said.

Gonidakis said the 11th-hour rally may have served better earlier on.

“We do have early voting so President Trump coming in on the backend may not have the full effect as if he came in early, maybe 30 or 45 days ago,” he said.

“There’s a reason why Trump is coming into Ohio to do a rally for Moreno right at the end,” Butland said. “Trump needs to motivate his base to come out and vote for Moreno, that’s why he is coming into Ohio at the last minute.”