Cleveland businessman Bernie Moreno won Tuesday’s Ohio Republican Senate primary with a strong showing and is now facing an incumbent Democratic senator with a strong campaign fund.
Incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown enters the general election with $13.5 million in cash on hand as of February 28, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). show. Meanwhile, Mr. Moreno, the new Republican candidate, $2.4 million on his campaign account as of Feb. 28.
The numbers foreshadow what is sure to be an expensive race for a Senate seat in a state that has trended significantly red in past cycles. Major PACs affiliated with both parties have already pledged to spend heavily in the general election.
“No amount of special interest will save us from the fact that Sherrod Brown will vote for Joe Biden’s radical left policies 99% of the time,” Moreno told the Daily Caller News Foundation. is not enough,” he said. “I am one of the top fundraisers of all Republican challengers this term and will have the money to defeat Sherrod Brown in November.”
while independent spending and race election costs There are 3 main candidates, Ohio’s Republican primary cost about $40 million, according to FEC records. Conservative super PACs have spent about $20 million since 2023 supporting or opposing Matt Dolan, Bernie Moreno and Frank LaRose in the Ohio Republican primary. according to In FEC filings. Outside spending in the Ohio Republican primary was primarily for advertising and vote-getting efforts.
The fundraising gap between Mr. Moreno and Mr. Brown widened over the course of the Republican primary. the latter raise more than former Applicable for each 2023 filing period pursuant to FEC filings.
Brown has raised $33.7 million this election cycle, the most of any sitting senator. according to on FEC records. Meanwhile, FEC records show Moreno raised $9.7 million from February 2023 to February 2024, $4.2 million of which was his own financing. (Related article: Trump-supporting candidate defeats establishment favorite in key battleground state primary)
One of Moreno’s opponents, state Sen. Matt Dolan, raised more than $11 million in his first bid. according to Submit to FEC application. Moreno’s other major opponent, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, said: raised Just over $2.2 million.
Ohio Republicans may be able to rely on national allies to overcome fiscal disparities.
National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) raised The first months of 2023 and 2024 will be $88.8 million, a slight increase. Democratic Senatorial Campaign CommitteeIts liberal counterpart during the same period, according to FEC records. Republicans also have a structural advantage, requiring just one victory to flip the Senate (assuming they win West Virginia) while Democrats have to defend a number of vulnerable seats.
“Sherrod Brown has been running for office for 50 years and is chairman of the Banking Committee, so of course he’s going to raise a lot of money from lobbyists who want him to do good things,” NRSC said. ‘s spokesperson Philip Retzow told DCNF. “Bernie Moreno is a great fundraiser and will have the full support of the NRSC and the Senate Leadership Fund, so we look forward to him closing the funding gap soon.” He continued.
Mr. Brown received most of his campaign funds from 2019 to 2024 from out-of-state donors. according to Go to OpenSecrets. Employees of major lobbying firms have also made significant contributions to his campaign.
Additionally, some on the left appear to view Moreno as the most likely candidate to defeat him in November.
Duty and Country PAC, Group affiliated with It worked with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and received funding from the Democratic-leaning Senate Majority PAC, which spent more than $3 million on advertising, according to FEC records. show.The ad touted the closeness between Moreno and former President Donald Trump and portrayed Moreno as “too conservative for Ohio,” Politico said. report.
“Special interests, liberal elites and Chuck Schumer are happy to spend every penny to save Sherrod Brown,” a spokesperson for the Ohio Republican Party told DCNF. “Donald J. Trump remains on track for yet another big victory in the Buckeye State, and America First’s Bernie Moreno will be right by his side when he wins in November.”
We are truly grateful for the overwhelming support of Ohioans from all 88 counties. Thank you to Matt Dolan and Frank LaRose for their spirited primaries. I look forward to our party coming together to work to get Sherrod Brown’s package shipped in November.
— Bernie Moreno (@berniemoreno) March 20, 2024
The NDP has shown that it is willing to spend a large amount of money to keep Brown in office.
The Senate Majority PAC announced plans in March to secure $65 million worth of television advertising in Ohio, The Washington Post reported. report. Meanwhile, Senate Majority PAC’s Republican rival, the Senate Leadership Fund, announced $57.5 million in spending for Ohio.
Senate Majority PAC Chairman JB Porsche said the ad aims to remind voters that “women’s access to abortion, health care coverage for pre-existing conditions, and preserving and strengthening Medicare and Social Security are all on the ballot.” The Post reported that.
president trump ohio won It rose nearly 10 points in 2020 and has emerged as one of Republicans’ key targets heading into the 2024 election. The poll, conducted from November 2023 to March 2024, shows Mr. Brown leading Mr. Moreno. according to However, the poll date is before the primary election.
“Ohioans want a senator who will fight for workers and families, not someone who will sell them out in favor of open borders and a radical Green New Deal climate policy,” Moreno said. told DCNF.
Brown’s campaign did not immediately respond to DCNF’s request for comment.
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