CLEVELAND — Republican businessman Bernie Moreno has ousted incumbent third term Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), in a hard-fought race that could significantly impact the GOP’s efforts to regain control of the Senate.
Moreno, 57, a former car dealership magnate, overcame a challenging polling deficit to claim victory. For much of the race, Brown, who is completing his third term in the Senate, maintained a lead. However, the dynamics shifted late in the campaign, with Moreno gaining momentum, thanks in part to strong backing from former President Donald Trump, whose performance at the top of the ticket that had a commanding victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in Ohio.
Moreno, who made a name for himself in the automotive business, secured the Republican nomination with relative ease after Trump’s endorsement in December, propelling him to a strong primary win. This marks a significant political rebound for Moreno, who had initially entered the Senate race in 2022 but dropped out at Trump’s request. That year, JD Vance won the GOP nomination and ultimately secured a seat in the Senate, before later joining Trump as his running mate.
Moreno’s victory is seen as a key moment in the GOP’s strategy to gain ground in Senate races across the country, with the Ohio race expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the balance of power in Washington.
In The unofficial results, 85% reported Bernie is currently leading incumbent Brown by 5 points with a 51% lead in Ohio to Brown’s 46%.
