As Ohio Senate hopefuls vie for Trump's support, one contender says he's the only one focused on the issues

close

Video

As Ohio senate hopefuls vie for Trump's support, one contender says he's the only one focused on the issues

DAYTON, Ohio – One candidate in the Ohio Senate race who's sought to separate himself from a field of opponents seeking Donald Trump's approval, told Fox News he's "not anti-Trump," and that he is the only candidate focused on the issues.

"I'm not anti-Trump," U.S. Senate candidate Matt Dolan said. "If you look at the campaign, I'm the only one focusing on issues in Ohio." 

OHIO GOP SENATE SHOWDOWN: GIBBONS HITS MANDEL ON CHINA IN AD THAT RETURNS TO ROOT OF COMBUSTILE FEUD

Matt Dolan, a 57-year-old state senator and part owner of the Cleveland Guardians Major League Baseball team, finds himself in the middle of a bruising primary that includes investor J.D. Vance, perennial candidate and former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, businessman Mike Gibbons, and former Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timken.

During a recent debate, Ohio GOP Senate candidates were asked to raise their hand if they believed Donald Trump should stop talking about the 2020 election and move on for the betterment of the Republican Party.

Matt Dolan speaks at the FreedomWorks Forum for Ohio's Republican Senate Candidates on March 18, 2022, in Columbus. The forum was also attended by candidates Mike Gibbons, Josh Mandel, Jane Timken and JD Vance. (Andrew Spear/Getty Images)

Dolan was the only candidate who raised his hand. He is also the only candidate Trump has said he would not be endorsing.

"Anybody that changes the name of the once storied Cleveland Indians to the Cleveland Guardians should not be running for the United States Senate representing the Great People of Ohio," Trump wrote. "The Republican Party has too many RINOs!" the former President added.

Ohio voters who attended a forum Dolan hosted in Dayton, Ohio, were largely unsure how they felt about Dolan's position on Trump.

"I would say I probably lean more towards people who kind of move away from Trump" one voter named Joe told Fox News.

But another Ohio voter named Brian seemed to value Trump's opinion more when asked about Dolan's stance on the former President.

An Ohio voter named Brian, who attended Dolan's event, shared his opinion on the candidate. (Fox News Digital)

"Being a Trump supporter, definitely supporting Trump. I think President Trump has done a very good job putting America first," Brian told Fox News.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

A Fox News poll conducted early last month showed Gibbons and Mandel leading the pack among Ohio Republican primary voters in the race to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Rob Portman. The two candidates, Gibbons and Mandel, shared a heated exchange eventually broken up by a moderator, at a FreedomWorks Forum in mid-March.

Mike Gibbons, left, and Josh Mandel argue at the FreedomWorks Forum for Ohio's Republican Senate candidates on March 18, 2022, in Columbus. (Andrew Spear/Getty Images)

The poll had the next tier including author Vance, Timken, and Dolan, and showed an unsettled race with one-quarter of voters undecided and about two-thirds of Gibbons', Mandel's, and Vance's supporters saying they may change their mind.

Voters will head to the polls May 3 to determine who will advance to the general election.