Bernie Moreno, a wealthy former car dealer and political newcomer, won the highly contested primary on Tuesday with the endorsement of former President Donald J. Trump. The primary aimed to decide which Ohio Republican candidate would challenge incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown, the last Democrat to hold statewide office in the increasingly Republican state.
Mr. Moreno defeated State Senator Matt Dolan and Frank LaRose, Ohio’s secretary of state, showcasing the influence of Mr. Trump’s support among Republican primary voters. The primary race clearly demonstrated the divide between the traditional Republican establishment and the new Trump wing of the party, with the former president’s backing proving to be decisive once again.
This marked Mr. Dolan’s second loss to a Trump-backed candidate, following his defeat in the 2022 primary race by J.D. Vance. Despite efforts by Ohio’s Republican governor, Mike DeWine, to promote Mr. Dolan as the best candidate to challenge Mr. Brown, Mr. Moreno emerged victorious.
In the era of Trump, loyalty often trumps electability when the former president is involved. Mr. Moreno launched a campaign targeting Mr. Dolan’s perceived lack of support for Mr. Trump’s border policies, with Mr. Trump himself endorsing Mr. Moreno. Despite a negative primary campaign, Mr. Moreno emerged as the Republican candidate for the general election.
Mr. Moreno will face the general election with limited funds and the aftermath of a negative primary campaign. A Democratic super PAC also signaled its support for Mr. Moreno. Meanwhile, Mr. Brown enters the general election with significant financial backing from unions and corporations.
However, Mr. Moreno will be running in a state that has become increasingly Republican-leaning, making it challenging for Democrats. Mr. Brown remains confident in his re-election bid, emphasizing his pro-worker stance and opposition to free-trade agreements.
With the Senate control up for grabs, Ohio and Montana are poised to attract significant national attention. Both parties are gearing up for a competitive race in Ohio, with large sums of money already reserved for advertising this fall.
