A potential GOP contender to run for U.S. Senate against Ohio Democratic U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) in 2024 declined to run for the seat.
U.S. Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH-08) informed supporters on Tuesday that instead of pursuing the U.S. Senate seat held by Brown he will run for reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Davidson was first elected to Ohio’s 8th Congressional District in the 2016 special election, which was called to replace former United States Speaker of the House John Boehner. His current term ends in 2025.
He joined the House Freedom Caucus in 2016, along with the Second Amendment Caucus, Steel Caucus, Warrior Caucus, Values Action Team, and Army Caucus.
Congressman Davidson received his undergraduate degree from West Point and his MBA from Notre Dame. He served in the Old Guard, 75th Ranger Regiment, and 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army.
According to Davidson, he believes his time is better spent in the House fighting for important issues rather than spending his time fundraising for a Senate campaign.
“Running for Senate would effectively take me out of the fight in the House for 1.5 years to spend the vast majority of my time raising money. Although time spent with constituents in Ohio is the truest joy of the work, a very narrow majority in the House of Representatives means my vote will be essential on any bill that breaks on party lines – important issues. This would inevitably leave far less time than I would like to travel around Ohio meeting with people, hearing their perspectives, and explaining my views, values, and objectives in the office,” Davidson said.
The GOP contender’s decision to not run for U.S. Senate is the second time he has thought about running for a statewide position before deciding against it. Similarly, he decided not to run against Ohio Governor Mike DeWine in the Republican primary last year following a private meeting with former President Donald Trump.
His decision also comes a week after U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) endorsed Republican Businessman Bernie Moreno for U.S. Senate.
With Davidson declining to run for the seat, other potential GOP contenders include Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and State Attorney General Dave Yost. Three-time Senate candidate Josh Mandel and Mark Kvamme, a venture capitalist with close ties to former Governor John Kasich, said they will not run.
Currently, three Republican candidates have formally joined the 2024 U.S. Senate race, Moreno, Republican State Senator Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls), and inventor Joel Mutchler from Canal Fulton.
The Democratic Party currently holds a narrow 51-49 majority in the upper chamber.
A primary target for the GOP in 2024 will be Brown’s seat, along with those held by U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV.), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), who is retiring.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected]
