Ohio Representative, Jim Jordan, has thrown his support behind Bernie Moreno in the highly competitive Republican Senate primary in Ohio. This endorsement signals the consolidation of support around former President Donald Trump’s preferred candidate, making it one of the most significant races of 2024.
Jordan, a stalwart Trump loyalist and influential figure within Ohio’s political right, announced his endorsement of Moreno in a statement initially shared with NBC News. Jordan praised Moreno as a “true America First conservative” who will bring pride to the U.S. Senate. He emphasized the need for common-sense conservative fighters, stating that Moreno’s perspective, determination, and conservative values will serve Ohio well.
Bernie Moreno, a former car dealer from Cleveland and a blockchain entrepreneur, received Trump’s endorsement last month. This endorsement could give him a significant edge in a crowded field that includes Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and State Senator Matt Dolan. Trump’s endorsement of J.D. Vance two years ago helped Vance secure an open Senate seat, highlighting the impact of Trump’s support in the state.
The winner of the March 19 primary will go up against Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown, considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats seeking re-election this year.
Bernie Moreno at a rally in Delaware, Ohio, in 2022. (Joe Maiorana / AP file)
“As the next U.S. senator from Ohio, I’m excited to work closely with Rep. Jordan to always defend our conservative values and, in his immortal words, do what we said we were going to do,” said Moreno. He emphasized that his campaign’s appeal to strong conservatives like Congressman Jordan, Senator Vance, and President Trump is rooted in Ohioans’ desire to replace career politicians like Sherrod Brown with a political outsider who understands their concerns.
Ohio is among the top three pickup opportunities for Republicans aiming to gain partisan control of the Senate in 2024, along with Montana and West Virginia, two states that Trump won convincingly. The race in Ohio is also expected to be one of the most expensive in the country.
Moreno and Dolan, who comes from the family that owns the Cleveland Guardians, have substantial self-funding capabilities. LaRose enjoys name recognition from his successful statewide campaigns. However, party leaders and insiders have recently rallied behind Moreno, further strengthening his position following Trump’s endorsement.
Other influential figures, such as Representative Warren Davidson and the conservative group Club for Growth, have also endorsed Moreno. Additionally, four county parties have thrown their support behind him.
Although LaRose had hoped for Trump to remain neutral, the Ohio Secretary of State has actively courted Trump’s supporters. Dolan, on the other hand, has focused primarily on policy issues like border security and the fentanyl crisis, indicating a desire to move beyond the Trump era. All three candidates boast extensive lists of endorsements from local elected officials and activists.
Moreno’s ability to unite different factions within the GOP and garner grassroots support has impressed veteran Republican strategists in Ohio. They believe it will be extremely challenging for Dolan or LaRose to overcome the momentum behind Moreno’s campaign, even if the Dolan family were to inject a substantial amount of money into the race.
Given the financial resources available to Moreno and Dolan, cash is expected to play a pivotal role in this highly competitive race. LaRose, who is not independently wealthy, trails far behind in terms of fundraising. While Moreno and Dolan have already made a significant presence on Ohio’s airwaves, LaRose has yet to run TV ads. He is likely to depend heavily on a super PAC that recently received a financial boost from GOP megadonor Richard Uihlein.
Despite the competition, LaRose’s spokesperson, Rick Gorka, expressed confidence in his candidate, referring to earlier polls that showed LaRose leading the race. Gorka mentioned the grassroots support and goodwill LaRose enjoys from voters and activists who appreciate his efforts to challenge a ballot initiative that enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution.
Dolan’s substantial financial contributions have kept him on TV, with a statewide commercial featuring an Ohio father who lost his son to a fentanyl overdose. Chris Maloney, a strategist working with Dolan’s campaign, hinted at potential attacks against the other candidates. He criticized Moreno as an ideological shapeshifter and emphasized that as voters learn more about him, their opinions are likely to turn unfavorable.
Public polling following Trump’s endorsement has yet to be released. However, the first televised debate among the GOP candidates is scheduled for January 22 in Cleveland.
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