Trump-backed Bernie Moreno wins Ohio Republican Senate primary race

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Social Links forRyan King

Published March 19, 2024

 Updated March 19, 2024, 10:02 p.m. ET

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Entrepreneur Bernie Moreno emerged victorious from the bruising Ohio Republican Senate primary Tuesday, advancing to face incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in November — despite becoming entangled in a late-breaking scandal.

Moreno, 57, the president of Collection Auto Group, enjoyed the backing of Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) as well as former President Donald Trump, and had billed himself as a populist acolyte of the 45th president’s “Make America Great Again” movement.

That support played a key role in Moreno edging State Sen. Matt Dolan — who was endorsed by GOP Gov. Mike DeWine and former Republican Sen. Rob Portman — and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

Moreno was garnering 49.4% of the vote to Dolan’s 32.9% backing with 64% of precincts reporting.

“I want to thank President Trump, for all he did for me for this campaign,” Moreno said in his victory speech, describing the former president’s support as “unwavering” and noting that he spoke to Trump shortly after he was projected to win the Senate primary race.

“I wear with honor my endorsement from President Trump,” he added, wondering if Brown “is going to wear with honor his 99% voting record with Joe Biden.”

Ohio is widely seen as one of the top Republican pickup opportunities in the Senate this cycle due to the state’s rightward swing. Buckeye State voters have backed the GOP candidate in four of the six presidential elections since 2000, with Trump beating President Biden by eight percentage points in 2020.

To counter that threat, at least one Democratic-aligned group intervened in the race to help buoy Moreno.

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The Duty and Country PAC spent $2.7 million on a TV commercial highlighting Moreno‘s close alignment with Trump, according to AdImpact, which tracks spending on promotional spots. Duty and Country gets funding from the Senate Majority PAC, the primary committee backing Senate Democrats.

“[Senate Majority Leader Chuck] Schumer just got CAUGHT meddling in our primary because he wants the weakest opponent for Sherrod Brown,” Dolan vented on X Thursday after reports on the ad circulated.