On Thursday, U.S. Senate candidate Matt Dolan continued to differentiate himself from the Republican field in Ohio with his statement recognizing the one-year anniversary of January 6. As other candidates downplayed and ignored the anniversary, Dolan called them out as “fake conservatives” for their objections to certifying the 2020 election. Ohio and national news media were quick to highlight the apparent contrast.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer: Matt Dolan’s solemn commemoration of Jan. 6 riots at U.S. Capitol sharply contrasts with rest of GOP U.S. Senate Field in Ohio
“A new statement from state Sen. Matt Dolan commemorating the one-year anniversary of the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters last Jan. 6 stands well apart from the rest of the Republicans running for an open U.S. Senate seat in Ohio.
“In contrast to his opponents, who this week have downplayed the attack or criticized the official response to it, Dolan’s statement calls the events an ‘attack on American democracy, our Constitution and the rule of law.’
“Dolan said some Democrats were wrong to object to the results of the 2004 presidential election, which unlike 2020, was certified without serious opposition. He said other Republicans running in this year’s U.S. Senate are similarly wrong and show a ‘blatant disregard for the Constitution, the rule of law and truth inside our Republic’.”
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Darrel Rowland, Senior Editor, Columbus Dispatch
“…By attempting to position himself as the only adult in the room, can he win a Republican primary in the year 2022?”
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Gannett Ohio: ‘A stain on our nation’s history.’ One year later, January 6 attack reverberates in Ohio politics and 2022 elections
“Only state Sen. Matt Dolan has said firmly that the 2020 election was legitimate and cast his Republican primary opponents as ‘fake conservatives’ for saying they wouldn’t have certified the results.”
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NBC News: GOP Senate candidate in Ohio slams primary rivals for embracing stolen election lies
“Dolan is the lone Republican in Ohio’s closely watched Senate race who is not aggressively seeking Trump’s endorsement. Although his statement did not single out anyone by name, each of his primary rivals to varying degrees has accommodated Trump’s election lies.”
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Taylor Popielarz, Reporter, Spectrum News 1 Ohio
“…the one Republican in the race who condemns the Capitol attack outright”
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Cleveland Scene: Bernie Moreno Honors Solemn Anniversary of Jan. 6 Capitol Insurrection By Further Debasing Himself
“…Matt Dolan is the only candidate who’s chosen to tell the truth.”
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The news media coverage highlighting Matt Dolan’s statement follows months of press on the campaign trail in Ohio in which editorial boards and reporters have highlighted Matt’s Dolan’s experience, relentless focus on substance and issues impacting Ohio.
- Hours after launching his candidacy, The Cleveland Plain Dealer published an editorial stating that “Republicans hoping to reclaim their party need to unite behind Matt Dolan’s Senate bid.”
- Dolan received recognition from The Columbus Dispatch after the first major candidates forum in October, noting that he “distinguished himself from his opponents right out of the gate” and “carved out his lane.” Similarly, The Cleveland Plain Dealer labeled him as the “one major exception” in the race of carbon copy candidates, who “presented himself as an experienced, practical politician who would get things done and attract independent voters in November.”
- The Toledo Blade reported in their story entitled “Is Matt Dolan the Rob Portman who can replace Rob Portman?” that “Mr. Dolan is the only Republican in the vicinity of the race talking so directly about things like jobs, security, and education in terms of action in Washington. Candidates Josh Mandel and J.D. Vance are known for riling followers on Twitter. Investment banker Mike Gibbons, entrepreneur Bernie Moreno, and former party chairman Jane Timken are hewing closely to Mr. Trump and tapping into cultural wedge issues.”
- National publications like The Wall Street Journal have also taken note of Dolan’s sole occupancy of the “traditional pro-business candidate” lane, explaining that when it comes to the similarity of the Republican field, “the one exception is Matt Dolan.”