(GoRealNewsNow.com) – Highlighting that members of the MAGA wing of the Republican Party are gaining more terrain in the political arena than old-school Republicans, former President Donald Trump and his allies supported Republican entrepreneur Bernie Moreno, who won the Ohio GOP Senate primary over a candidate supported by RINOs (Republicans in name only).
The Associated Press reported that Moreno secured 50.4% of the votes, which outstripped State Senator Matt Dolan’s 32.7 % and Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s 16.9 %.
Moreno’s victory set the stage for a fierce showdown against vulnerable Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown in November, which turned out to be one of the most closely-watched races of the 2024 cycle.
Expressing gratitude for the support, Moreno stated, “I am so grateful for the resounding support of Ohioans in all 88 counties. I thank Matt Dolan and Frank LaRose for a spirited primary contest. I look forward to uniting our party and working to send Sherrod Brown packing in November!”
Although LaRose initially led in the primary, Moreno surged ahead in early March.
Acknowledging the outcome, LaRose remarked, “I’m honored and humbled by the thousands of Ohioans who stood with me in this campaign. While this is not my time to serve as our party’s nominee for the United States Senate, I’m profoundly grateful for those who gave me their support. Now is the time to stand together as a party.”
Moreno gathered crucial endorsements from influential national Republicans aligned with Trump, such as Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, while Dolan and LaRose received substantial backing from local leaders. Dolan secured the endorsement of Ohio GOP Governor Mike DeWine just days before the primary.
This primary marked a rematch between Moreno and Dolan, who vied for the same seat in the 2022 GOP primary. Moreno withdrew from that race before votes were cast.
The campaign became notably costly as Republicans debated issues like border policy, abortion restrictions, and Ukraine funding. According to AdImpact data, approximately $54 million was spent on ads for the Senate race, with Dolan receiving $19.1 million in support, Moreno receiving $15 million and LaRose receiving $5.5 million.
Likewise, as per FEC records, Moreno faces a daunting fundraising challenge against Brown, who has amassed $26.7 million this cycle and has $13.5 million cash on hand Brown has already spent $16.6 million.
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