Ohio has been at the forefront of politics for decades as one of America's monumental swing states. Since 1988, the winning presidential candidate in Ohio has been elected commander-in-chief 89% of the time. The impact Ohioans have on the framework of American politics is also felt in the race for a Senate seat.
The upcoming 2023 Ohio Senate race is poised to be competitive as several candidates vie for Sen. Sherrod Brown's (Democrat) seat. The group of candidates entering the Ohio Senate race includes entrepreneur Bernie Moreno, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and Sen. Matt Dolan.
The winner could determine whether Democrats maintain a majority.
While it is not one of the many available Ohio sports betting markets, we'll break down what you need to know about the Ohio Senate race:
Ohio Senate Race Predictions
The upcoming election in the Ohio Senate is up for grabs as Sherrod Brown seeks his fourth term in office. Brown could lose his seat as his competitors reach new heights in the polls. Frank LaRose — a Republican candidate — was leading the party's primary race in June, according to a poll by the Washington Examiner. Despite the promising sample size, Sherrod Brown could retain his seat in the Senate due to his familiarity with constituents and his ability to keep Democrats competitive in 2024.
However, a group of new candidates is running with a purpose to win.
Sherrod Brown
As a current Democratic Senator in Ohio, Brown has served in his position since 2007. The Yale University grad has been integral to Ohio's politics as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Brown has also served as Secretary of State from 1983 through 1991. He is the Buckeye State's only Democratic elected official.
However, he does not figure to be a factor in the upcoming Presidential election, judging by the 2024 Democratic nominee odds.
Frank LaRosa
The Republican has carved out a role in Ohio politics as the state's Secretary of State since 2019. The U.S. Army Reservist has also been a member of the Senate. LaRose has used his expertise to promote election security and ensure the integrity and accessibility of Ohio voting. He is considered one of Ohio's leading Senate candidates.
Matt Dolan
The former Assistant Attorney General of Ohio is looking to add to his political portfolio. Dolan — a Republican — has been a member of the Senate since 2017 following a stint as a member of the House of Representatives. He is currently a partner at the law firm of Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan. The politician has also been an adjunct professor.
Bernie Moreno
The car dealership owner is entering the upcoming Senate election following a previous failed attempt to run for the position in 2021. The University of Michigan grad invested roughly $3.8 million of his wealth into the failed bid. Moreno — a backer of Donald Trump — is looking to instill the same principles as the former president if elected. Moreno is poised to compete for a seat due to his wealth as a business owner and tech entrepreneur.
It will be interesting to see what his performance in this race reveals about the Donald Trump 2024 odds. A strong showing for Moreno here could mean good things for the former president, and vice versa.
Ohio Senate Odds and Predictions
The 2024 Ohio Senate race will be decided by a thin margin with several candidates garnering strong support. The race, which could be one of America's most competitive Senate races, could be won by either the Republican or Democrat party with several candidates in close proximity in the polls, according to the results of a recent East Carolina University poll.
Declined 2024 Ohio Senate Candidates
The 2024 Ohio Senate race has also seen highly qualified candidates not seek the position. Cincinnati native Vivek Ramaswamy has declined to run for Senate as the Strive Asset Management co-founder is opting to run for President. Ramaswamy — a Republican — is so far the only Ohioan to announce their intention to run for President in 2024.
Is Ohio Political Betting Legal?
Bettors are unable to wager on elections due to political betting in any capacity being prohibited in the U.S. As a result, operators in Ohio are unable to offer any type of Ohio sports betting promos for politics.
Can You Bet on the Ohio Senate Race?
Betting on the Ohio State Senate race is currently prohibited due to law. In fact, betting on all U.S. political races, including the 2024 Republican nominee odds, is prohibited by law.
Are There Ohio Senate Race Odds?
As of Aug. 30, odds for the 2024 Ohio Senate race are unavailable. However, as the general election approaches, odds can be expected.
Cleveland Browns and Columbus Crew Have a Say in the Ohio Senate Race
A pair of Ohio's professional sports teams also have an impact on the 2024 Ohio Senate race. The Columbus Crew — a Major League Soccer franchise — and the NFL's Cleveland Browns are co-owned by Jimmy and Dee Haslam.
The Haslam family are supporters of the Republican party and have endorsed Matt Dolan as a potential Ohio senator in the 2024 face. Jimmy and Dee Haslam will be supporting Dolan's campaign as finance chairs. The Haslam family has also vowed to recruit additional Republican donors to bolster Dolan's campaign.
Ohio Senate Race 2024 Timeline
- 📆 November 5, 2024: Qualified citizens across the state of Ohio vote for their next member of the Senate.
- 📆 July 17, 2023: Frank LaRose joins the 2024 Senate race as a Republican candidate.
- 📆 April 18, 2023: Bernie Moreno launches a campaign for the Senate. The businessman was the second Republican to enter the race.
- 📆 March 19, 2023: Ohio holds primary elections to determine each party's candidates for the 2024 Senate race.
- 📆 January 17, 2023: Matt Dolan announces his intention to run for Senate in 2024. The declaration follows an unsuccessful Senate bid in 2022.
- 📆 November 16, 2022: Sen. Sherrod Brown declares his bid for reelection in 2024.
What’s Next for the Ohio Senate Race?
The Ohio Senate race will continue to heat up ahead of primary elections, which are scheduled for March 19, 2024. Following the primaries, which decide a party's candidate, voters in the Buckeye State will then elect a new or returning member of the Senate on Nov. 5, 2024.
Ohio Senate Race 2024 FAQs
Sen. Sherrod Brown has emerged as Ohio's top candidate. However, it is unclear which candidate has an advantage in the polls as the race continues to take shape.
J.D. Vance won the Ohio Senate race in 2022. The Republican marine veteran captured his seat following a victory over democrat Tim Ryan.
The 2024 Ohio Senate race features an influx of new candidates compared to 2022. Next year's race also differs in that a Democrat seat is up for grabs. If the Republican party can win the seat in 2024, Democrats will relinquish the majority.
Author
Justin Byers previously worked at Front Office Sports as a Business Writer with stops at FanSided covering the NBA and at the Indianapolis Star as a Sports News Clerk. Byers received his B.A. in Political Science from Emmanuel College and M.A. in Sports Journalism from Indiana University. He currently resides in Indianapolis.
