Ohio voters will head to the polls on Tuesday for a closely watched Republican Senate primary that has become a test of former President Trump’s influence within the GOP.
The top three candidates are Bernie Moreno, Matt Dolan, and Frank LaRose.
“If you want somebody who’s going to be more liberal than Mitt Romney in the United States Senate, then vote for Matt Dolan,” Senate candidate Bernie Moreno said.
Moreno has Trump’s endorsement, while Dolan has the backing of establishment Republicans like Gov. Mike DeWine.
The race has grown increasingly contentious, with millions spent on attack ads primarily targeting Dolan and Moreno.
“The person who clearly has the best shot at winning in the fall is Matt Dolan,” DeWine said.
“President Trump, Jim Jordan, and JD Vance’s view of the party, which is who’s endorsed me or do you want to go back to the Bush, Cheney, Mitt Romney vision of the party?” Moreno said. “That’s the question. A vote for Dolan is a vote for 1980s Republicans that we thought were extinct, but unfortunately they haven’t. But on Tuesday, we’ll make it finally extinct here in Ohio.”
“We’re going to have President Trump in the White House, that’s for certain,” Moreno said. “But what we need is strong fighters in the Senate to make sure we get the [Trump America First] agenda implemented.”
Democrats have intervened to boost Moreno, viewing him as the weakest general election candidate against incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.
The winner will face Brown in November in a key race that could help determine Senate control.
Most experts see the primary as a litmus test of Trump’s political power as he aims to deliver another endorsement victory in Ohio following JD Vance’s 2020 win.
“I’m the only one in this race that’s cut taxes and reduced regulations. Who else has done that? Donald Trump,” Dolan said. “Everyone wants to talk about Donald Trump’s endorsement. I’m the only one who’s actually done Donald Trump policies because it helps Ohio.”
“Bernie wants to be divisive. I want to be inclusive of all Republicans,” Dolan added. “I’m not interested in dividing the Republican Party. I’m interested in when we put conservative agendas in place, Republicans win. When that happens, Ohioans and Americans are better off. That’s the message I’m running on.”
“Donald Trump is the most important endorsement in Ohio, bar none,” Republican strategist Mike Biundo said.
“Trump moves numbers and helps to hand victories to those he endorses. It’s just a fact. Just look at Senator JD Vance. He owes his seat to the last minute Trump endorsement.”
“Trump’s got a lot invested in Bernie Moreno,” Republican strategist Matt Gorman said.
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