7 Republicans, 3 Democrats vying to be Ohio's next US Senator

Morgan Harper Age: 38 Party: Democratic Education: Law degree, Stanford Law School, 2010; master's degree, Princeton University, 2010; bachelor's degree, Tufts University, 2005; high school diploma, Columbus Academy, Gahanna, Ohio, 2001 Job history: Director of policy and advocacy/senior adviser, American Economic Liberties Project, July 2020-August 2021 (currently on leave); vice president, knowledge management & strategy, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, March 2017-June 2019; senior adviser, Office of the Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, February 2016-February 2017; special adviser, Office of the Director, CFPB, January 2015-February 2016; counsel, Office of Regulations, CFPB, October 2013-December 2014; associate, Cravath, Swaine & Moore, September 2011-September 2013; law clerk, U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, August 2010-June 2011; special assistant, Center for American Progress, October 2005-July 2006 Website: MorganHarper.org Traci "TJ" Johnson Party: Democratic Education: Bachelor's degree, Ohio University; attended Ohio State University Job history: President, Tra'Bian Enterprises, an information technology solutions company in Dublin, Ohio; elected Central Committeewoman, Franklin County Democratic Party; three-time candidate for Ohio House representative; experience working on numerous political campaigns Website: OhioForJohnson.com Tim Ryan Age: 48Party: DemocraticEducation: Law degree, University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law (formerly the Franklin Pierce Law Center); bachelor's degree in political science, Bowling Green State UniversityFamily: Wife, Andrea; three children, Mason, Bella, and BradyJob history: U.S House of Representatives, Ohio's 13th Congressional District Website: TimForOH.com Matt Dolan Age: 57 Party: Republican Education: Case Western Reserve University School of Law; Boston College Family: Wife, Jessica, and children, Samuel (21) and stepson Maddox (19) Job history: Ohio state senator, 2017 to present; vice president, 7th Ave. Management, 2004 to present; Ohio House representative, 2005-10; partner, Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan, 1997 to present; chief assistant prosecutor, Geauga County, 1993–97; assistant Ohio attorney general, 1990-93; executive for community impact, Cleveland Baseball Company Website: dolanforohio.com Jane Timken Age: 55 Party: Republican Education: American University Washington College of Law, Washington D.C.; Harvard University; Walnut Hills High School, Cincinnati Family: Husband, Ward "Tim" Timken Jr., two children Job history: Chair, Ohio Republican Party, 2017 to 2021; vice chair, Stark County Republican Party; attorney, magistrate, law clerk and "being a mom to her two kids." Website: www.janetimkenforohio.com Ten candidates are vying to be the voters' choice to face off in November to replace Rob Portman, a Republican who is retiring as one of Ohio's two U.S. senators. Three Democrats are in the running: Morgan Harper, Traci Johnson and Tim Ryan. Seven Republicans are in the running: Matt Dolan, Mike Gibbons, Josh Mandel, Neil Patel, Mark Pukita, Jane Timken, and J.D. Vance. Gibbons, Mandel, Patel, Pukita and Vance did not respond to the questionnaire by deadline. What makes you the best candidate for the position? HARPER: Ohio was once a beacon of innovation and opportunity, but now too many people are struggling to get by. We need a U.S. senator who will move with urgency to deliver solutions to guarantee opportunity for every Ohioan. I am the only major candidate with a plan to get us there -- creating 600,000 jobs in the clean energy sector, implementing Medicare for All, and a living wage, supporting unions, and doing what is necessary to protect our fundamental rights like voting and the right to choose by rebalancing the Supreme Court. JOHNSON: Over 30 years of voluntary service to the Democratic Party. Elected ward committeewomen for over 20 years. Extensive experience in state government fighting for Ohioans through the Office of Budget and Management, governor's office, LGBT issues, attorney general's office & Environmental Protection Agency. As a business owner, I understand the unique challenges of small business (lending opportunities and access to capital) and as an owner of a technology company I will guarantee free and affordable high speed internet and broadband connectivity across the state. Build qualified future-ready workforce talent pipelines for our technology, clean energy and manufacturing industries. RYAN: I am running for Senate to cut Ohio workers in on the deal. I've seen what happens when our politics and economy aren't working for working people, and I know there's nothing more patriotic than investing in our state, bringing good-paying jobs to Ohio, and making sure our workers can compete and win. I'm proud of my record of fighting for Ohio workers, and as senator, I'll keep fighting to cut workers in on the deal by raising wages, making it easier to unionize, making health care more affordable, and revitalizing manufacturing so we can make things in Ohio again. DOLAN: I am the only U.S. Senate candidate with a proven conservative record that includes cutting your income taxes, funding police, expanding school choice, protecting life and the Second Amendment and limiting the size of government. From Day 1, I've made my focus in this race on Ohio. My opponents are focused on attacking one another instead of addressing reckless federal policies and offering conservative solutions that will strengthen Ohio and get America back on the right track. I'm proud of my conservative record and what I've achieved for Ohio. I will bring that same focus and conservative record to Washington. TIMKEN: This race is about who can be trusted to advance the America First agenda and beat Democrats in November. There are many candidates who wake up every day hoping to get "canceled" on social media or make headlines by saying something outrageous -- but that's not me. I'm the workhorse, not the show horse, and I'm going to Washington to fight for the America First agenda, get things done for Ohioans, stop the Democrat slide to socialism, and ensure the American Dream is protected. I have the grit and grace to win and get things done for Ohioans. What is the biggest challenge facing the nation and how would you address it?HARPER: Over the past 40 years, concentrated power in almost every sector of the economy has made it more difficult for American workers, small businesses, and communities to succeed. This concentration has led to increased prices for everything from insulin, gas, and food, as well as lower wages and worse health outcomes. As part of my Opportunity Guarantee Plan, I would push for antitrust reform and better competition policy to address the concentration issue at the federal level to increase innovation, raise wages, lower prices, and ensure small- and medium-sized businesses can grow. JOHNSON: Ohio has 500,000 jobs that need to be filled and countless new jobs. We must get people back to work in the renewable energy sectors which includes solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydropower. Advance transportation industries like hybrid cars and electric vehicle and guarantee access to free and affordable internet. Our economy must not leave women behind -- over a million left the job market as that chose family over their careers. We must provide public-funded childcare, universal childcare, early childhood education and flexible work options for women to return. We must get Ohioans back to work putting more money in their pockets. RYAN: The biggest challenge we face is rising inflation. In the short run, we need a permanent working-class tax cut to put money in the pockets of Ohio families. And we need to end the supply chain disruptions and bring back the good-paying union jobs that made our state a manufacturing powerhouse. I'll fight like hell to reinvest in our team at home so our workers can compete with China, crack down on the companies that ship jobs overseas and reward those that create jobs here, and stand firm against unfair trade policies that sell out our workers. DOLAN: The skyrocketing costs of everything from gas to groceries is top of mind for voters across Ohio. I hear about it every day. This year alone, each Ohio family will spend $5,200 more due to inflation alone. To reverse this 40-year high inflation rate, we must boost domestic energy production, cut wasteful spending, stop incentivizing workers to stay home, and modernize our supply chain and infrastructure. Unlike my opponents, I have a proven record of accomplishing these policy objectives in Ohio and I'll do the same in Washington, D.C. TIMKEN: If you're like me, you're disgusted as you watch what Joe Biden and the Democrats have done to weaken America. They've caused inflation, gas prices have nearly doubled, our southern border is a disaster, and enemies like China and Russia are taking advantage of Biden's weakness. Ohio needs a leader to 1) Secure the border by finishing the wall. 2) Combat inflation by stopping the out-of-control spending and bringing manufacturing jobs home from China and 3) Put parents back in the driver's seat of their children's health, education and beliefs -- not the government. -- Dave O'Brien