Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno is gaining momentum in his bid to retake the Senate in November. With the support of former President Donald Trump, Moreno is looking to secure victory in Ohio’s increasingly contentious GOP primary. Trump, who recently clinched the Republican presidential nomination and is now the party’s presumptive 2024 nominee, will headline a rally in Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday to show his endorsement for Moreno.
This rally comes just three days before Ohio’s primary, where Moreno will face off against two other major GOP Senate contenders, state Sen. Matt Dolan and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. Dolan recently received endorsements from two-term Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and former Sen. Rob Portman, both considered top members of Ohio’s Republican establishment. However, Moreno has positioned himself as the America-First Republican candidate, while labeling his opponents as part of the “RINO establishment,” a term used to criticize Republicans who are not deemed conservative enough.
Although there has been a lack of public polling in the Republican Senate primary, all three candidates are treating the race as a dead heat. Negative attack ads have flooded the airwaves, with millions of dollars being spent by the campaigns and aligned super PACs. Adding to the heat, Duty and Country PAC, funded by Senate Majority PAC, a top super PAC supporting Senate Democrats, has spent nearly $3 million in the final days ahead of the primary to run ads boosting Moreno.
The winner of the GOP primary will face off against Democrat Sherrod Brown in November. Brown, the only Democrat to win statewide in Ohio over the past decade, is being heavily targeted by Republicans in a state that has shifted red. Republicans are looking at a favorable Senate map in 2024, with Democrats defending 23 of the 34 seats up for grabs. Key swing states, including Ohio, are crucial for Republicans to secure a Senate majority.
As Trump solidifies his control over the Republican Party, he is exerting increasing influence over congressional Republicans. However, his clout suffered a setback this week as most House Republicans supported the passage of a bill that could eventually ban TikTok in the U.S., going against Trump’s objections. Despite this setback, Trump remains invested in Bernie Moreno’s campaign, highlighting the importance of having allies in Congress to pass his agenda.
The showdown in Ohio is one of the few major down-ballot GOP primaries where the Trump-backed candidate is at risk of losing. Trump’s visit and endorsement of Moreno demonstrate his commitment to supporting candidates who align with his America-First agenda. With the Republican Senate majority at stake, the outcome of the primary in Ohio will be closely watched by political observers.
