Bernie Moreno Surges Ahead, Poised for Victory in Ohio GOP Senate Primary

The GOP Senate Primary in Ohio was one of the most important (and hotly contested races) of Tuesday’s primary elections. In a three-way contest between former car dealer Bernie Moreno, state senator Matt Dolan, and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, it was a close race.

After the polls in Ohio closed, Moreno was neck-and-neck with Dolan for a while. But now, after 26 percent of votes have been counted by DecisionDeskHQ, the site projects that Moreno will win the nomination, and get to take on incumbent Democrat senator Sherrod Brown.

Moreno was able to benefit from the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, as well as Senator J.D. Vance.

Decision Desk HQ predicts that Trump-backed Bernie Moreno, who is running for the Republican nomination in Ohio’s Senate race against incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown (D), will be able to defeat him this November.

Moreno, the former owner of a car dealership and father-in-law of Rep. Max Miller of Ohio (R), defeated state senator Matt Dolan and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose in messy primaries that intensified during the final days of the campaign.

Moreno had a substantial advantage in terms of endorsements over his rivals. He received support from former President Trump, as well as important Ohio politicians Sen. J.D. Vance (R), and Rep. Jim Jordan.

Both Moreno and Dolan were unsuccessful Senate candidates in Ohio in 2022. They also had an advantage in fundraising over LaRose.

Moreno has his work cut out, but it is possible, given the recent leanings in Ohio. Brown has a five-point advantage in the current RCP average. Watch this one as we head into November.