Columbus, Ohio – Donald Trump’s endorsement carries weight in the upcoming GOP primary for the US Senate seat in Ohio. Despite Trump’s support, businessman Bernie Moreno faces stiff competition from state Sen. Matt Dolan and Secretary of State Frank LaRose. The outcome of this primary will test Trump’s influence in a contested Senate race and determine the Republican candidate to challenge Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in the general election.
The high-stakes Republican primary in Ohio has attracted significant attention, with outside groups running ads in support of Moreno. The state, which has been trending red, is critical for Senate control this fall. While Trump has appeared at a rally supporting Moreno, national Republicans have refrained from endorsing any candidate, believing that all three contenders have a chance to defeat Brown.
Dolan, who recently secured endorsements from prominent Ohio Republicans Rob Portman and Mike DeWine, represents the establishment wing of the Ohio GOP. This has led to a split within the party, pitting Dolan against Moreno and LaRose in the final stretch of the primary campaign. Trump, in his speech at the rally, criticized Dolan as a weak candidate and emphasized the importance of supporting candidates aligned with his policies.
The primary race has seen substantial spending, with Dolan and Moreno leading in ad expenditures. Immigration has emerged as a dominant theme, with candidates focusing on border security and opposing amnesty. The primary’s outcome will not only determine the GOP candidate to face Brown but also highlight the party’s internal dynamics, particularly regarding allegiance to Trump.
Despite previous criticisms of Trump, all three candidates have adjusted their positions to align more closely with the former president. Dolan, in particular, has emphasized his support for Trump’s policies, while Moreno has highlighted his immigrant background and outsider status as strengths in the race. The late-breaking endorsement from DeWine has added a new dynamic to the primary, potentially influencing voter turnout and candidate strategies in the final days before the election.
The Senate race in Ohio is expected to be highly competitive, with significant financial investments from both parties. Democrats view Ohio as a winnable state, leveraging issues like abortion rights to contrast themselves with Republican candidates. Regardless of the outcome of the primary, Brown faces a tough challenge in a state that Trump carried by a significant margin in the previous elections. The Senate race is poised to be a focal point of the political landscape in Ohio leading up to the general election.