The Cincinnati Enquirer
Opinion: US Senate race as much about the past as it is our future
Sept. 9, 2021
By Matt Dolan
“…Ohio Republicans once again find themselves in need of a public leader willing to stand astride the widening chasm of Democratic socialism that threatens to swallow our personal freedom, liberties and the founding principles of the republic.
“Rob Portman’s forthcoming departure from the U.S. Senate is not just a moment to commemorate his service and pass the torch to the next occupant of the office, it’s also an occasion to reflect upon our principles and the kind of leader Ohioans will have as their next senator.”
“On the day that Portman’s hard infrastructure bill passed, it was publicly opposed by every announced Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. They crowed about how they would have voted against a bill that would grant funding to fix the Brent Spence Bridge, finish the Appalachian Development Highway System, expand broadband for rural telehealth, education and farmers and strengthen the quality of regional treasures such as Lake Erie and Ohio’s rivers. The bill would also provide thousands of local jobs, drive long-term economic growth and enhance our competitive standing with China.”
“As if declining $12.3 billion in targeted infrastructure funding for Ohio wasn’t bad enough, the candidates also operated in bad faith, seeking to falsely tie Portman’s targeted infrastructure package to the reckless $3.5 trillion liberal wish list bill to garner media hits.”
“Earlier this summer, I launched the “Ohio Matters Tour” to weigh the prospect of a run for the U.S. Senate. I did this in part because it is clear that we live in a time when most politicians are more concerned with “fighting” rather than working for the Ohioans they claim to represent. Instead of lecturing Ohioans, we need someone who is willing to speak a little less and listen a little more.”
“Instead of a desire to make history, the person who takes over for Rob Portman must grasp Ohio’s history. That must begin with understanding the legacies and hard work of your predecessors and charting a course forward that is more focused on Ohio’s future than your own.”
Read Matt’s entire op-ed HERE.