Matt Dolan
Republican | Ohio
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Matt Dolan
Party
Republican
Election Year
2022
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Senator
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Case Western School of law, Cleveland, JD, 1990
Boston College, Chestnut Hill, History, 1987
WORK & MILITARY
Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan, Partner, 19
7th ave management, Vice-President, 16
Cleveland Guardians, Executive Community Impact, 5
Ohio Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, 3
Geauga County, Chief Assistant Prosecutor, 4
AFFILIATIONS
Cleveland State Foundation Board, Board Member/Chair Communications
Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Board Member/Vice-Chair Government Relations
University of Rio Grande, Board Member/Chair Athletic Committee
Greater Cleveland Red Cross, Board Member
Cleveland Council of World Affairs, Member
Cleveland City Club, Member
LifeAct, Member
Rodeo Fellow Aspen Institute, Fellow
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Ohio Senator, 2017 to present
State Representative, 2005-2010
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
State Representative, 1992
Cuyahoga County Executive, 2010
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Franklin County Republican Party; Jay Hottinger
LIBERAL (1)
Nathan Manning
OTHER (2)
Gayle Manning; Jo Ann Davidson
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (5)
More than 200 local, state and Republican Party officials in every region across Ohio; Franklin County Republican Party; Knox County Republican Party; Former Ohio House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson; Former Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (25)
Chris R. Widener (2008); Cliff Hite (2012); Dave Greenspan (2020); Dave Yost (2018); Diane V Grendell (2006)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (24)
All Children Matter PAC (2008); Buckeye Firearms (2008); Continuing America's Strength & Security (2022); Dave Greenspan (2016); David Joyce (2008)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Construction Employers Association of Cleveland (2018)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (25)
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (2020); American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (2007); American Nurses Association (2020); American Wind Energy Association (2020); Construction Employers Association of Cleveland (2020)
OTHER INFORMATION
OH US Senate Candidate Forum
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I am Pro-Life with a proven voting record of supporting policies that protect the sanctity of human life. Abortions should only occur in profound circumstances in which rape or incest has occurred or the life of the mother is threatened.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
The U.S. Constitution is clear that the state shall not prohibit the free exercise of religion. Further, America’s faith-based organizations and charities play a vital role in helping to improve, educate and enrich society. This relationship has a long tradition of being valued and supported by the public sector, which should certainly continue unabated.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Islamic terrorism remains a clear threat and danger to U.S. national security and the safety and security of our allies, including Israel. We should not reenter into the flawed Iran Deal because it funds terrorism and will make the world less safe. The U.S. should work with our allies on a case-by-case basis to facilitate policies that combat the growth of radical extremism and also remain vigilant in sharing valuable intelligence that keeps free people safe.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
The government and schools should not impose vaccine mandates. The government should avoid creating one size fits all mandates on the backs of employers, including mandating vaccines. Employers should have the right to choose the policies best fitted for their employees and values.
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
ECONOMY
Redistribution of income is needed to lessen the gap between the wealthy and working classes.
Strongly Disagree
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Since I was elected to the State Legislature, Ohio’s top income tax bracket has decreased nearly 47% and our tax brackets have been simplified from 9 to 4 brackets. As Ohio Senate Finance Chairman, I have seen directly how the small business income tax deduction on the state level is crucial for small businesses to reinvest in their companies, communities and employees. I saved Ohio small businesses from a billion-dollar tax increase when the small business income deduction was threatened by members of my own party. In the U.S. Senate, I will work to permanently extending the small business income tax deduction in federal law and take every opportunity to return money to working Americans and small businesses. Additionally, I will work to reduce the corporate tax rate.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
State and federal funds shall be denied to any public or private entity, such as a sanctuary city, that is not in compliance with immigration laws.
Disagree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
First and foremost, at the present moment we have a migration and security crisis at our Southern Border. Before we legislate who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S., we must first fix our porous borders with increased surveillance and virtual capabilities, walls and personnel support of our immigration officers. People should only be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. if they do so legally and follow the laws of our country.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I am a supporter of the 2nd Amendment and have not voted for bills that infringe on the ability for law-abiding citizens to purchase, own or carry firearms. I do believe if someone is mentally ill and a violent threat to themselves or others, they can be deemed mentally unfit to own or purchase a firearm only after evaluation by a doctor and full due process in a court of law. Penalties for false claims must also be in place.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
London, John. Commitment 2022: Matt Dolan campaigning for US Senate. WLWT5 News. March 11, 2022 https://www.wlwt.com/article/commitment-2022-matt-dolan-campaigning-for-us-senate/39412798 Caudill, Mark. State Sen. Matt Dolan makes case to replace Rob Portman at Republican luncheon. Mansfield News Journal. March 8, 2022 https://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/story/news/2022/03/08/richland-county-republicans-host-candidate-u-s-senate-matt-dolan/6972482001/
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
During my time as a state legislator, I have stood up for Ohioans’ personal freedoms by crafting and implementing policies that cut burdensome government regulations, cut taxes and expanded school choice. The Ohio Republican Party called the most recent budget I drafted the “most conservative budget in legislative history; and one of my most notable accomplishments is cutting Ohio’s income taxes nearly 47% since elected to the state legislature. I am running for the U.S. Senate to fight for Ohio and renew American strength. Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress are destroying American values and freedoms with their increasing costs, the failure at the Southern Border and putting our national security at risk. We need to seize the Majority in the U.S. Senate to halt these policies from undermining American strength. I am the only candidate in the race with a conservative record and experience and I will be ready on day one to work on behalf of all Ohioans.
VALUES
Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Agree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in God and have a strong faith. Having grown up in a Catholic household, my parents instilled in me and my siblings the values of faith, hard work and service. Before my mother met my father, she was in a convent to become a Maryknoll Nun. She did not take her final vows and met my father where they raised six children. Her faith guided us through our lives.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Ohio has secure elections thanks to the strong election integrity laws. Voter fraud in our state is extremely rare with only 13 cases of fraud in 2020. I support state-initiated Voter ID and upholding the maintenance of accurate roles. I oppose federal laws that loosens or undermines the integrity and strength of state’s rights to hold elections.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism and identity politics pose a threat to our domestic security because our adversaries see us as a country divided. These divides are accentuated by the extreme Left. Now, more than ever, it is important we restore American strength and the preservation of our democracy with the increasing threats from both Russia and China.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.
