LaRose declined to participate in The Plain Dealer/cleveland.com endorsement interview; Moreno’s campaign declined to abide by longstanding ground rules for the endorsement interview, so Moreno didn’t participate, either.

No matter. Dolan, one of the most respected Republicans at the Statehouse, who has been trusted repeatedly by GOP leadership with helping to quarterback the state’s politically fraught two-year budget process, would unquestionably be Sherrod Brown’s biggest threat. As Dolan himself notes, he would credibly challenge Brown, who lives in Cleveland, in the state’s heavily Democratic Northeast, where Dolan also lives and polls well.

But beyond that, Dolan is no Trump sycophant. He would represent Ohio with diligence and care, mindful of constituents’ needs -- just as he has during his dozen years in the legislature, serving in the Ohio House from 2005 to 2010, where he also chaired its budget-writing Finance Committees, and in the Ohio Senate since 2017. And in 2010, Dolan was a candidate in the first election for the new Cuyahoga County executive.

In 2022, Dolan ran for a GOP U.S. Senate nomination that was instead won by Cincinnati Republican J.D. Vance, who went on to win the Senate seat. In that 2022 GOP senatorial primary contest, upended by Trump’s last-minute endorsement of Vance, Dolan ran third, carrying Cuyahoga, Geauga and Franklin counties.

Constitutionally, the Senate has a major role in foreign affairs. And one of the most pressing issues facing the United States is how to secure its border with Mexico.

Dolan said of the border, “we have a patient that’s bleeding ... and we have to stop the bleeding before we start talking about reconstructive surgery.” Dolan argues for closing the U.S.-Mexico border to any new asylum-seekers until the process, funding and approach can be fixed. And he needled Brown and other Democrats for what he sees as an attempt to downplay the border crisis.

As for the Middle East, “I think Israel has the absolute right to defend itself against ... a terrorist organization backed by Iran,” he said.

And on the Russian-Ukrainian War, Dolan argued for helping Ukraine stand up to Russia. “I don’t want [U.S.] boots on the ground in Ukraine, but you know where else I don’t want boots on the ground? I don’t want American boots in Poland and the Baltics, in Western Europe and perhaps in the Asia/Pacific [region] ... if we appease Putin, which, unfortunately, there’s some in my party that want to do,” Dolan said.

On abortion, Dolan said he has consistently supported what he believes many Ohioans support -- commonsense abortion restrictions with exceptions in cases of incest or rape, or to save the life of the mother.

Ohio Republicans can’t say they lack for candidates for the right to challenge Brown, but in Matt Dolan they have an exceptional contender whose maturity, and budget-crafting experience clearly qualify him for higher office.

Dolan would likely approach the issues the Senate wrestles with in a constructive and thoughtful manner, without grandstanding or bluster. And his experience and knowledge of the challenges that Greater Cleveland faces would be a plus for this region in Washington.

Ohio’s Republican voters should nominate Matt Dolan as their candidate for the U.S. Senate in the March 19 primary. Early voting begins Feb. 21.

For more information on Matt Dolan’s campaign for U.S. Senate, visit www.dolanforohio.com.