Ohio GOP Secretary of State Frank LaRose teases U.S. Senate run for Democrat Sherrod Brown's seat

The military veteran previously endorsed by Trump would join the primary race with two other candidates.

By Greg Piper

Published: July 4, 2023 8:20pm

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican and military veteran, prompted speculation Tuesday that he's running for the U.S. Senate in 2024 with a strategically placed pen on a Federal Election Commission form.

He tweeted a photo of the form with the words "for Senate" visible. A partly obscured sticky note appears to say "This Week To Do," and it's predated July 15. The form also identifies his existing campaign website as "committee's web page." Former President Trump endorsed LaRose's re-election for secretary of state.

LaRose's entrance into the GOP primary for the right to challenge incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) would confirm voicemails obtained by NBC News in May where LaRose told prospective donors he hoped to "soon" enter the race.

The primary already includes state Sen. Matt Dolan, whose family owns the Cleveland Guardians baseball team, formerly known as the Indians, with recently touted polling showing him most competitive with Brown, and businessman Bernie Moreno, a critic-turned-vocal supporter of Trump.