{{Short description|American politician (born 1965)}} {{about|the Ohio politician|the English football (soccer) player|Matthew Dolan (footballer)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Matt Dolan | image = MattDolan2020 cropped.jpg | caption = Dolan in 2020 | state_senate = Ohio | district = 24th | term_start = January 1, 2017 | term_end = December 31, 2024 | predecessor = Tom Patton | successor = Tom Patton | state_house1 = Ohio | district1 = 98th | term_start1 = January 1, 2005 | term_end1 = January 19, 2010 | predecessor1 = Tim Grendell | successor1 = Richard Hollington | birth_name = Matthew John Dolan | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1965|1|12}} | birth_place = Chardon, Ohio, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | parents = Larry J. Dolan (father) | relatives = Charles Dolan (uncle)<br>Paul J. Dolan (brother)<br>James L. Dolan (cousin) | education = Boston College (BA)<br>Case Western Reserve University (JD) }} '''Matthew John Dolan'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tddlaw.com/matthew-j-dolan |title=Matthew J. Dolan |access-date=September 20, 2021 |archive-date=September 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920224630/https://www.tddlaw.com/matthew-j-dolan |url-status=live }}</ref> (born January 12, 1965) is an American politician and lawyer who most recently served in the Ohio Senate from 2017 to 2024, representing the state's 24th district. Prior, he served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2005 to 2010.
Dolan's father Larry J. bought the Cleveland Guardians in 2000 and gave Matt a partial stake in the Major League Baseball team.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Perkins|first=Olivera|date=November 22, 2017|title=The Dolans known for Indians and Cablevision: PD 175|url=https://www.cleveland.com/business/2017/11/dolan_family_known_for_the_cle.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 23, 2021|website=cleveland|language=en|archive-date=July 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729050113/https://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2017/11/dolan_family_known_for_the_cle.html}}</ref> Prior to his election victory in 2016, Dolan was part of the team's front office, overseeing the budget and also running the team's charity program.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.3rdrailpolitics.com/article/150 |title=Matt Dolan's Cleveland dream - 3rd Rail Politics.com |access-date=November 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729081433/https://www.3rdrailpolitics.com/article/150 |archive-date=July 29, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On September 20, 2021, he announced his candidacy in the 2022 United States Senate election in Ohio.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Ohio's GOP Senate primary offers a choice of Trump-lite or the full deal |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/ohios-gop-senate-primary-offers-a-choice-of-trump-lite-or-the-full-deal/ar-AAWRMKV |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=MSN |language=en-US |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504144248/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/ohios-gop-senate-primary-offers-a-choice-of-trump-lite-or-the-full-deal/ar-AAWRMKV |url-status=live }}</ref> He ran as a traditional Republican and was the only candidate that did not put his full support behind Donald Trump during the campaign. He lost the Republican primary, coming in third place, receiving 23% of the vote. On January 17, 2023, he announced his candidacy in the 2024 United States Senate election in Ohio.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ohio Sen. Matt Dolan to announce 2024 U.S. Senate bid against Sherrod Brown |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/01/16/ohio-u-s-senate-race-2024-matt-dolan-announces-bid-against-sherrod-brown/69792478007/ |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US}}</ref> He lost the Republican primary again, coming in second place with 32% of the vote.
==Early life and career== Dolan was born and raised in Chardon, Ohio, and is a graduate of Gilmour Academy. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Boston College and a Juris Doctor from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gomez|first=Henry J.|date=July 25, 2010|title=Cuyahoga County executive candidate Matt Dolan branches out from family tree, touts moderate views|url=https://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county-reform/2010/07/cuyahoga_county_executive_cand_1.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 23, 2021|website=cleveland|language=en|archive-date=September 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923183540/https://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county-reform/2010/07/cuyahoga_county_executive_cand_1.html}}</ref> Forbes ranked the extended Dolan family as the 54th richest in the United States in 2015, with most of its wealth attributed to his uncle Charles' investments in cable television.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.forbes.com/forbes-400/|title = The Forbes 400 2021|website = Forbes|access-date = January 31, 2022|archive-date = May 20, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190520050529/https://www.forbes.com/forbes-400/|url-status = live}}</ref>
An attorney, Dolan is a former chief assistant prosecutor for Geauga County and assistant attorney general for the State of Ohio. He is a partner at the law firm of Thrasher, Dinsmore & Dolan.<ref>{{cite web | title = Matt Dolan | url = http://electmattdolan.com/ | accessdate = January 4, 2017 | archive-date = January 18, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190118182842/http://electmattdolan.com/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Matt's cousin James Dolan is the owner of New York Knicks of the NBA.
==Politics== === Ohio House of Representatives === In 2004, Dolan was elected to represent the 98th District in the Ohio House of Representatives, and was re-elected in 2006 and 2008. He resigned in January 2010 to focus on a run for Cuyahoga County Executive.<ref>{{cite news |first=Laura |last=Johnston |title=Former state Rep. Matt Dolan officially declares candidacy for county exec |url=http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2010/02/former_state_rep_matt_dolan_officially_declares_candidacy_for_county_exec.html |work=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |date=February 9, 2010 |accessdate=February 20, 2010 |archive-date=July 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707205000/http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2010/02/former_state_rep_matt_dolan_officially_declares_candidacy_for_county_exec.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 2, 2010, he lost to Lakewood mayor Ed FitzGerald.
=== Ohio Senate === After taking a break from politics to work in the Indians' front office, in 2016, Dolan opted to make a comeback by running to succeed state Senator Tom Patton, who was term-limited that year after serving in the Senate for over eight years.<ref>{{cite web | title = Matt Dolan announces bid for Ohio Senate | date = February 3, 2015 | url = http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2015/02/matt_dolan_announces_bid_for_o.html | accessdate = January 4, 2017 | archive-date = November 15, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161115220214/http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2015/02/matt_dolan_announces_bid_for_o.html | url-status = live }}</ref> A competitive seat on paper, the 24th District had been held by Republicans for over thirty years, which created a competitive primary.<ref>{{cite web | title = Dolan announces candidacy for Ohio Senate District 24 | date = April 23, 2013 | url = http://www.news-herald.com/article/HR/20150204/NEWS/150209846 | accessdate = January 4, 2017 | archive-date = January 5, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170105085107/http://www.news-herald.com/article/HR/20150204/NEWS/150209846 | url-status = live }}</ref> For the Republican nomination, Dolan faced sitting state representatives Nan Baker and Mike Dovilla. However, his name recognition and large personal wealth put him over the edge, and he won the nomination with 44% of the vote, to Baker's 29% and Dovilla's 27%.<ref> {{cite web | title = Govt & Politics: Matt Dolan and Emily Hagan face off for state senate seat - Chagrin Valley Today | date = October 17, 2016 | url = http://www.chagrinvalleytoday.com/topics/government_politics/article_a31a8d66-916b-11e6-881e-a7cb4a43477e.html | accessdate = January 4, 2017 }} </ref>
While the general election was at first deemed competitive, it did not prove to be in the end. Facing Emily Hagan, an assistant county prosecutor and the niece of former Cuyahoga County commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Tim Hagan, Dolan won with over 58% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web | title = Matt Dolan wins Republican State Senate (24th District) race | url = http://www.thepostnewspapers.com/north_royalton/breaking_news/matt-dolan-wins-republican-state-senate-th-district-race/article_fd23961d-0976-54a7-af14-2dfb49f2eff6.html | accessdate = January 4, 2017 | archive-date = June 21, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160621092949/http://www.thepostnewspapers.com/north_royalton/breaking_news/matt-dolan-wins-republican-state-senate-th-district-race/article_fd23961d-0976-54a7-af14-2dfb49f2eff6.html | url-status = live }}</ref> He was sworn into office on January 3, 2017. In 2020, Dolan was reelected with 54% of the vote, beating Democrat Tom Jackson.
Term-limited and having lost his 2024 U.S. Senate primary bid, Dolan's second term in the Ohio Senate ended on December 31, 2024.
=== 2022 U.S. Senate bid === On September 20, 2021, Dolan declared his bid in the 2022 United States Senate election in Ohio.<ref name=":0" /> He ran as a traditional Republican whom Ohio Republicans have tended to elect in statewide elections including Rob Portman, George Voinovich, and Mike DeWine. Dolan was the only candidate who did not put his full support behind Donald Trump during the campaign, but he was sure to explain that he voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020. On March 21, 2022, during a debate between the Republican candidates running for Senate in 2022, Dolan was the only candidate to raise his hand when they were asked if Trump should "stop talking about the 2020 election".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Allison |first1=Natalie |title=Republican who refuses to bend the knee to Trump surges in Ohio Senate race |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/29/trump-says-matt-dolan-is-not-fit-for-ohios-senate-seat-hes-gaining-ground-anyway-00028824 |website=Politico|date=April 29, 2022 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504174321/https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/29/trump-says-matt-dolan-is-not-fit-for-ohios-senate-seat-hes-gaining-ground-anyway-00028824 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite Dolan's poll numbers surging during the last days of the primary campaign,<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 3, 2022 |title=Vance leads, Dolan surging in last-minute Ohio GOP Senate poll |url=https://www.wdtn.com/news/your-local-election-hq/vance-leads-dolan-surging-in-last-minute-ohio-gop-senate-poll/ |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=WDTN.com |language=en-US |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526043725/https://www.wdtn.com/news/your-local-election-hq/vance-leads-dolan-surging-in-last-minute-ohio-gop-senate-poll/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Dolan ultimately lost the primary. He came in third (behind venture capitalist JD Vance and former state treasurer Josh Mandel) with 23.3% of the vote, carrying only three counties: Cuyahoga (his home county), Geauga, and Franklin.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 3, 2022 |title=Ohio Primary Election 2022: Live Results, Map, and Analysis |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/election-2022/live-midterm-results-ohio |access-date=May 4, 2022 |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US |archive-date=May 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503123432/https://www.newyorker.com/news/election-2022/live-midterm-results-ohio |url-status=live }}</ref>
===2024 U.S Senate bid=== On January 17, 2023, Dolan announced his bid for the 2024 United States Senate election in Ohio, challenging incumbent Sherrod Brown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown draws his first GOP challenger in key 2024 race |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/sherrod-brown-matt-dolan-2024-rcna65951 |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=NBC News|first=Henry J.|last=Gomez|date=January 16, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Dolan has said that his reasoning for announcing his campaign early is to get more name recognition. Dolan was defeated in the primary with about 33% of the popular vote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ohio Sen. Matt Dolan to announce 2024 U.S. Senate bid against Sherrod Brown |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/01/16/ohio-u-s-senate-race-2024-matt-dolan-announces-bid-against-sherrod-brown/69792478007/ |access-date=January 16, 2023 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Political positions== ===Abortion=== Dolan is opposed to abortion. However, he supports exceptions for rape, incest and health of the mother. During his time in the legislature, he opposed a bill that banned abortion in Ohio after six weeks because of the absence of exceptions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=3 Ohio Republicans want to take on Sherrod Brown. Where do they stand on the issues? |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/02/20/ohio-senate-race-where-bernie-moreno-frank-larose-matt-dolan-stand-on-abortion-economy/72479775007/ |website=The Columbus Dispatch}}</ref>
==Electoral history==
{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary results, 2004}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Matt Dolan |votes=7,406|percentage=60.87%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Doland F. Welker|votes=4,761|percentage=39.13%}} {{Election box total no change|votes=12,167|percentage=100.00%}} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title=Ohio's 98th House of Representatives district general election, 2004}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Matt Dolan |votes=36,243|percentage=65.21%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Dan Dombek|votes=19,336|percentage=34.79%}} {{Election box total no change|votes=55,579|percentage=100.00%}} {{Election box hold with party link no change|winner=Republican Party (United States)}} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary results, 2006}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Matt Dolan (incumbent)|votes=8,455|percentage=100.00%}} {{Election box total no change|votes=8,455|percentage=100.00%}} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title=Ohio's 98th House of Representatives district general election, 2006}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Matt Dolan (incumbent)|votes=26,518|percentage=56.69%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Raymond Ku|votes=20,257|percentage=43.31%}} {{Election box total no change|votes=46,775|percentage=100.00%}} {{Election box hold with party link no change|winner=Republican Party (United States)}} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary results, 2008}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Matt Dolan (incumbent)|votes=9,761|percentage=100.00%}} {{Election box total no change|votes=9,761|percentage=100.00%}} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title=Ohio's 98th House of Representatives district general election, 2008}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Matt Dolan (incumbent)|votes=42,806|percentage=100.00%}} {{Election box total no change|votes=42,806|percentage=100.00%}} {{Election box hold with party link no change|winner=Republican Party (United States)}} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title=Cuyahoga County commissioner general election, 2010}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Ed FitzGerald|votes=188,474|percentage=45.73%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Matt Dolan |votes=124,719|percentage=30.26%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Independent|candidate=Ken Lanci |votes=47,110|percentage=11.43%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Independent|candidate=Tim McCormack |votes=33,760|percentage=8.19%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Independent|candidate=Don Scipione |votes=11,897|percentage=2.89%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Green Party (United States)|candidate=David Ellison |votes=6,193|percentage=1.5%}} {{Election box total no change|votes=412,153|percentage=100.00%}} {{Election box new seat win| winner = Democratic Party (United States)}} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary results, 2016}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Matt Dolan |votes=24,844|percentage=44.41%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Nan Baker|votes=16,241|percentage=29.03%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Mike Dovilla |votes=14,860|percentage=26.56%}} {{Election box total no change|votes=55,945|percentage=100.00%}} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title=Ohio's 24th Senate district general election, 2016}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Matt Dolan |votes=107,500|percentage=58.14%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Emily Hagan|votes=77,383|percentage=41.86%}} {{Election box total no change|votes=184,883|percentage=100.00%}} {{Election box hold with party link no change|winner=Republican Party (United States)}} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title=Republican primary results, 2020}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Matt Dolan (incumbent)|votes=18,161|percentage=100.00%}} {{Election box total no change|votes=18,161|percentage=100.00%}} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title=Ohio's 24th Senate district general election, 2020}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Matt Dolan (incumbent)|votes=112,609|percentage=54.3%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Tom Jackson|votes=94,633|percentage=45.7%}} {{Election box total no change|votes=207,242|percentage=100.00%}} {{Election box hold with party link no change|winner=Republican Party (United States)}} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change |title=2022 United States Senate election in Ohio, Republican primary results}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=JD Vance |votes=344,736|percentage = 32.22%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Josh Mandel |votes=255,854|percentage=23.92%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Matt Dolan |votes=249,239|percentage=23.30%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Mike Gibbons |votes=124,653|percentage=11.65%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Jane Timken |votes=62,779|percentage=5.87%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Mark Pukita |votes=22,692|percentage=2.12%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Neil Patel |votes=9,873|percentage=0.92%}} {{Election box total no change|votes=1,069,826|percentage=100.00%}} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title=2024 United States Senate election in Ohio, Republican primary results}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|party=Ohio Republican Party|candidate=Bernie Moreno |votes=557,626|percentage=50.48%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Ohio Republican Party|candidate=Matt Dolan |votes=363,013|percentage=32.86%}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Ohio Republican Party|candidate=Frank LaRose |votes=184,111|percentage=16.67%}} {{Election box total no change|votes=1,104,750|percentage= 100.00%}} {{Election box end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://dolanforohio.com/ Official campaign site]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Dolan, Matt}} Category:1965 births Category:21st-century members of the Ohio General Assembly Category:Businesspeople from Cleveland Category:Candidates in the 2022 United States Senate elections Category:Candidates in the 2024 United States Senate elections Category:Case Western Reserve University alumni Matt Category:Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences alumni Category:Lawyers from Cleveland Category:Living people Category:People from Chagrin Falls, Ohio Category:People from Geauga County, Ohio Category:Politicians from Cleveland Category:Republican Party members of the Ohio House of Representatives Category:Republican Party Ohio state senators