In the highly contested Ohio GOP Senate primary, Bernie Moreno has emerged victorious, according to projections by the Associated Press. This primary was notably seen as a litmus test for the influence of 45th President Donald Trump’s endorsement in Republican races. Moreno managed to outpace his competitors, including Republican state Sen. Matt Dolan and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, in a race that many viewed as a crucial opportunity for the GOP to secure a Senate seat.
Moreno, who received Trump’s endorsement in December, framed the primary as a pivotal choice between an outsider championing the MAGA agenda and the established political framework. He highlighted this dichotomy at a rally, stating, “If you want somebody who’s going to be more liberal than Mitt Romney in the United States Senate, then vote for Matt Dolan.”
Dolan, on the other hand, garnered support from prominent figures within the Ohio Republican establishment, such as Gov. Mike DeWine and former Sen. Rob Portman. Despite this, he attempted to navigate a middle ground, embracing Trump’s policies while maintaining a certain distance from Trump’s persona. Dolan articulated his stance, emphasizing his record of cutting taxes and reducing regulations in alignment with Trump’s policies, yet distinguishing his personal and political style from Trump’s.
LaRose, who also supported Trump, positioned himself as the race’s true conservative, critiquing Moreno for his previous statements on key issues and labeling Dolan as a Republican in name only due to his voting record. Despite being outspent by Moreno and Dolan, LaRose emphasized his conservative credentials, branding himself as a significant threat to Sen. Sherrod Brown.
With the primary concluded, the focus shifts to the general election battle against Brown, who stands as the sole Democrat to win a statewide election in Ohio in the last decade. This upcoming contest is pivotal, as it could influence the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, where Democrats currently hold a slim majority. Trump and his allies have already initiated efforts to paint Brown as out of touch with Ohio voters, leveraging Trump’s 2020 electoral performance in the state to critique Brown’s alignment with President Biden’s policies.
This primary outcome sets the stage for what is expected to be a closely watched and highly competitive general election campaign in Ohio, with broader implications for the national political landscape and the future composition of the U.S. Senate.