Frank LaRose, US Senate candidate

Secretary of State Frank LaRose speaks during a meeting of the Ohio Redistricting Commission in September.

To Republicans like Moreno, LaRose’s government experience makes him a “career politician.” But Weaver contends that resume, coupled with his status as an Army Green Beret, gives LaRose an advantage that neither of his opponents have.

And LaRose’s backers don’t believe his time in Columbus has tainted him.

“He has always stayed above the fray,” Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said. “Any time he shakes your hand, he’s sincere. He’s not looking behind you. The other two, the only time I see or hear from them is when they’re running for office.”

On the campaign trail, LaRose zooms in on three issues: the economy, immigration and parents’ rights.

He believes President Joe Biden doesn’t understand Ohioans who are spending more on groceries and gas. During an event in Marysville, he told Republicans that schools are teaching children a “skewed version of American history.” He also said his military experience uniquely equips him to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

Before this year, LaRose’s Senate campaign went hand in hand with his crusade for the August and November elections. Neither one had the desired outcome for Republicans, and Moreno and Dolan were quick to blame LaRose for that failure. Pepper, the former Democratic Party chair, said it’s proof that LaRose isn’t “in tune with Ohio.”

But LaRose defended his work on both issues and argued he was willing to step up to the plate when others weren’t.

“A lot of self-interested politicians, like my two opponents, looked at this and said, ‘Oh, that’s hard. I don’t want to get engaged in this because I don’t know if it’s going to win or not,’” LaRose said. “We don’t only fight battles that we know we can win. That’s no way to to go through life.”

Now, LaRose is barreling toward the March primary with less money than his opponents and no Trump endorsement. A January Emerson College poll showed him statistically tied with Moreno for first place, while 42% of voters remained undecided.

But LaRose has been eyeing this race for years, and he’s not backing down.

“Ohioans are looking for somebody that’s going to stand with President Trump on policy, and that’s who I am,” LaRose said. “I’m confident that we’ll win. And I’m confident I’ll earn President Trump’s endorsement after the primary.”