Ohio Sen. Matt Dolan, Secretary of State Frank LaRose stump for US Senate seat in Fremont

FREMONT ― Heading into the final push before the primary March 19, two candidates for U.S. Senate, state Sen. Matt Dolan and Secretary of State Frank LaRose, were the invited guests speaking at the monthly Sandusky County Republican Party dinner on Tuesday.

Both candidates highlighted accomplishments and the positions they have held, attempting to position themselves as the best Republican to go against incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown in the general election.

The event was attended by about 40 at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Fremont.

LaRose made his pitch first, in a recorded video message that was about 8 minutes long.

Dolan followed, speaking for more than 30 minutes. He took questions from the group, followed with personal time for individuals, and then sat down to give a short, detailed interview.

“The two main issues are border security and the economy,” Dolan said. “In my time in the legislature I have been put in positions of power with the finance committee. In my time, I have cut your taxes to the tune of millions of dollars. I have reduced regulations. We’ve got universal schools of choice, and I’ve joined with Representative Click to make sure ... no transgender surgery happens here in Ohio. We have supported law enforcement.”

Border security and the opioid epidemic figured highly in Dolan's pitch to the party faithful.

His border beliefs are more than the southern border, but include addressing fentanyl coming from China.

He would support temporarily closing the southern border and cut benefits to illegal immigrants.

He would then also declare fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction.

“Fentanyl needs to be declared a weapon of mass destruction, which would allow us to stop ships at the border,” Dolan said.

LaRose’s video presentation also highlighted his anti-abortion stance, support for lethal force in border protection and conservative economics.

“We need to fight for our conservative values, and I’ve proven it with my 100% pro-life voting record and 100% pro-gun voting record,” LaRose said.

“This economy is great for who? Maybe if you are somebody who lives off their stock portfolio, or a trust fund,” LaRose said. “But for the rest of us who have to earn a living, with an hourly or salary job, we’re struggling to raise our families. Everything costs more.”

He blamed economic woes on the Biden administration spending on wind and solar subsidies. LaRose recommended cutting taxes and regulations, as well as reaching energy independence by drilling for oil and drilling for gas.

To solve border problems, LaRose recommended putting three military divisions, or 60,000 troops, on the Mexican border, for deportation and taking on drug cartels.

LaRose also reminded listeners about his support for parental rights and his stance against a “radical transgender ideology.”

He also noted that he has three school-age daughters.

“Just the idea that bureaucrats know better than parents … we need to take a stand for parents' rights,” LaRose said. “I’m not willing to co-parent with the government. We must insist that our children are educated, not indoctrinated, in our schools.”

In his follow-up interview, Dolan highlighted several foreign policy issues, pointing out that as a U.S. senator he would be representing Ohio’s role both domestically and internationally.

He supports both Israel and Ukraine.

“I strongly support Israel’s right to defend itself. And we need to provide what they need from us. But unlike Ukraine, we also need to be present in the area. Because it’s really an Iranian-backed group, Hamas … so we need to make sure Iran doesn’t flex its muscles and make it a larger war.”

His troop support would take the form of a naval presence in the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.

“I also think that Biden should be a little more responsive to the Houthi attacks,” Dolan said. “They are still going to keep doing it, unless we show that we’re serious.”

Dolan spoke about his support of Ukraine, both the world importance of Ukrainian wheat, and the large deposits of lithium in Ukraine, and its importance in battery manufacturing. He also reminded the group that the United States pledged to support Ukraine when they gave up their nuclear weapons.

Later he said, “Ammunition and weaponry to have Ukraine fight Russia, so American boys and girls don’t have to do it, so Putin doesn’t get 25% of the world’s wheat, so American friends and enemies know that we keep our promises? Yes.”

Dolan put a local, Ohio Great Lakes spin on the economy, with the goal of creating an environment for businesses to succeed.

“Manufacturers need water and farmers need water. We have an abundance of it, so we need to protect it. I wrote about the Great Lakes Compact years ago and said ‘If you want our water, you’re coming here. We’re not shipping it to you,’” Dolan said.

The Great Lakes Compact included the seven Great Lakes states and two Canadian provinces.

“Canada was thinking of shipping it to China. That’s what got us all riled up and the compact prevented,” Dolan said. “We want businesses to know that you can come here we have high-quality water. That’s why Intel came. …They need a lot of water for their chip-making. …Obviously it’s important in agriculture, but also in steel-making.”

Ty Tracy, Mayor of Woodville, commented on the presentations.

“I thought State Senator Dolan did an excellent job. This is the first I’ve heard him speak. I really like a lot of his thoughts and ideas,” Tracy said. “I think Senator Dolan hit the nail on the head with that border issue.”

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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Matt Dolan and Frank LaRose stump in Fremont OH for US Senate seat