Trump-backed Bernie Moreno wins Ohio GOP Senate primary

According to Decision Desk Headquarters, Bernie Moreno, a candidate supported by President Trump, has won the Republican nomination for the Ohio State Senate to face incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown (Democratic) this November.

Moreno, a former car dealership owner and father-in-law of Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), is competing in a closely contested primary race between state Sen. Matt Dolan (R) and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R-Ohio). defeated the Republican Party. Last day of the campaign.

In addition to former President Trump, Mr. Moreno has received the support of powerful Ohio politicians, Sen. J.D. He was building an advantage.

Moreno and Dolan, both unsuccessful 2022 Ohio Senate candidates, had a significant fundraising advantage over LaRose and were able to pump millions of dollars into their campaigns through their own funds. .

Primary polls varied widely over the course of the campaign and appeared somewhat inconclusive ahead of Election Day. LaRose was the front-runner for the first few months, but Moreno began to take the lead after President Trump endorsed him and garnered support from many top Senate Republicans from late 2023 to early this year. .

But Mr. Dolan appears to have made a well-timed surge in the weeks leading up to the election, with some polls showing him in the lead. He tried to approach Moreno earlier this month, gaining significant support from former Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and popular two-term incumbent Gov. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio). Ta.

Moreno was embroiled in controversy last week after it was discovered that an account on a sexual encounter website called Adult Friend Finder was linked to his work email address. Associated Press Her profile reported that she was looking for “men for one-on-one sex.”

Moreno’s campaign issued the statement after a former intern said he created the account in 2008 as an “aborted prank.” The intern said he was “one of many people” at Moreno’s company who had access to his email account and that his actions “were not intended to be malicious.” .

Moreno’s lawyer said he had “nothing to do” with the account on the website.

Trump rallied with Moreno on Saturday ahead of Tuesday’s primary, and Moreno ultimately won, allowing him to face Brown in one of the fall’s most competitive Senate races.