COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Two Republican candidates in Ohio’s U.S. Senate race are facing questions for their support of a congressional candidate who used a slur to describe Special Olympians.
Just over two weeks remain until state Sen. Matt Dolan, Secretary of State Frank LaRose and businessman Bernie Moreno face off in the primary election on March 19. The nominee will face incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown in the general election on Nov. 5.
Here are developments from the past week.
Moreno campaigns with Donald Trump Jr.
On Wednesday, Moreno was joined by Donald Trump Jr., American television personality Kimberly Guilfoyle and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy of Upper Arlington for a rally in Butler County. The event drew a crowd of over 300 people, according to a release from the Moreno campaign.
“Republicans have moved away from the Washington, D.C., swamp establishment. If you want the party of Mitt Romney and Liz Cheney, that’s his competition,” Trump said.
Moreno earns senator’s endorsement
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee) endorsed Moreno. In total, Moreno has the endorsement of 13 senators.
“Bernie will be a fierce voice for the forgotten men and women of this country, and I look forward to working with him in the U.S. Senate,” Hagerty said.
Dolan challenges LaRose and Moreno
A candidate in Ohio’s Ninth congressional district, J.R. Majewski — who is endorsed by both LaRose and Moreno — is under fire after using a slur to refer to Special Olympians and Democrats.
“Shoutout to all the Democrats living in mom’s basement that like to talk [expletive] on the internet. No matter how hard you try, arguing on the internet, it’s like being in the Special Olympics,” Majewski said during a February appearance on the podcast “Trifecta Hour” before using a vulgar term to describe those with disabilities.
Dolan called on both of his opponents to rescind their support.
“I find it shameful that Bernie Moreno and Frank LaRose are so blinded by ambition that they would support J.R. Majewski instead of people with disabilities,” Dolan said. “They should rescind their endorsements not only because we have to defeat Marcy Kaptur, but because every Special Olympian in Ohio and across America is a hero.”
When asked for a response, LaRose campaign representative Ben Kindel brought up Dolan’s uncle, New York Knicks and New York Rangers owner James Dolan, who was accused of sexual assault in a January lawsuit.
“Matt Dolan calling on anyone to denounce anything is laughable given he still refuses to denounce his creep uncle,” Kindel said.
Moreno’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment. But he has pulled endorsements before, backing away from Majewski’s opponent, Craig Reidel, after he criticized former President Donald Trump.
Dolan did earn backing from the president of Ohio Right to Life, which has officially endorsed his two primary opponents over him.
“Matt Dolan demonstrated compassionate leadership by condemning J.R. Majewski’s disgusting comments regarding special needs Ohioans,” Michael Gonidakis said. “Mr. Dolan is the only candidate to do the right thing and serve as a voice for the voiceless. It boggles my mind that the other two candidates in the U.S. Senate race continue to sit on their hands.”
