In a significant victory for the Republican party, Bernie Moreno, a prominent businessman from Cleveland, is set to clinch the fiercely competitive Republican primary for Ohio’s Senate race.
Moreno’s triumph comes with the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, propelling him ahead of State Senator Matt Dolan and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose in Tuesday’s primary. Political pundits widely regard this seat as a golden opportunity for Republicans to regain control in November.
Dolan, despite having the support of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and former Senator Rob Portman – both stalwarts of the state’s Republican establishment – fell short. Although Dolan has been vocal about his support for Trump’s policies, he made several attempts to distance himself from Trump’s personality and rhetoric during his campaign.
“I’m the only one in this race that’s cut taxes and reduced regulations. Who else has done that? Donald Trump,” Dolan stated on Fox News on the eve of the primary. “Everyone wants to talk about Donald Trump’s endorsement. I’m the only one who’s actually implemented Donald Trump policies because it benefits Ohio.”
Interestingly, Dolan was the sole candidate who refrained from endorsing Trump in the general election. “His personality? It’s not me. His political style? It’s not me,” he expressed during a debate earlier this month. “But his policies that improve your life, strengthen America, fortify Ohio — that is me.”
In stark contrast, Moreno wholeheartedly embraced both Trump as an individual and as a candidate. “I am so sick of Republicans that will say ‘I support President Trump’s policies, but I don’t like the man,’” Moreno declared. “This is a good man. This is a great American. This man wakes up every day fighting for us, fighting for this country. He loves this country like no other leader in this nation has ever loved this country.”
Despite facing an attack from the Associated Press, which alleged that an email address linked to Moreno was used to create an adult Friend Finder account in 2008, Moreno emerged victorious. The news outlet later confessed that it lacked geolocation data to substantiate their claims.
With the primary behind him, Moreno’s sights are now set on incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown in November’s election. Democrats currently hold a slim majority in the Senate with a 51-49 margin, but Republicans are optimistic about gaining seats in West Virginia, Ohio and Montana.
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