Bernie Moreno on Thursday took out $2 million in ads for Republican voters in the Ohio Senate primary seeking to face Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) next November. The press release referred to a “statewide advertising blitz that will last through Primary Election Day” on March 19, 2024, and the initial $2 million refund covered “broadcast, cable, radio, digital mail and direct mail” through December.
Significantly, the release noted that Moreno is “the first candidate to advertise on television.”
INBOX: The Ohio Senate race is heating up @berniemoreno launches a modern ad. Here is the press release about it. This is seen as one of the most critical Republican elections in 2024, if not THE BEST, with vulnerable incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown running for re-election. pic.twitter.com/XsVaurWAD8
— Rebecca Downs (@RebeccaRoseGold) November 9, 2023
The release also included a statement from spokesman Conor McGuinness. “This initial phase of advertising will be a great introduction to Bernie to voters across Ohio. Bernie is the only Trump supporter, America First conservative and political outsider in this race and is proud to have the endorsement of Senator J.D. Vance,” McGuinness said, referring to the confirmation that came in May. “As voters learn about Bernie and his vision for Ohio, we think they will echo President Trump’s sentiments when he said, ‘We love Bernie Moreno,’” McGuinness continued.
On Thursday, Moreno X’s account also posted an entry that also mentioned Trump and Vance and highlighted his role as a businessman and political insider.
In the US Senate, I will always fight to put AMERICA first! pic.twitter.com/CSHNilmBsp
— Bernie Moreno (@berniemoreno) November 9, 2023
Especially since Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced Thursday afternoon that he would not seek re-election, Ohio has been seen as one of will top the polls next year, as will Montana, where another vulnerable Democratic incumbent, Sen. Jon Tester, is also up for re-election. The 2024 Senate map looks particularly favorable for the entire Republican Party, especially compared to 2022.
Although National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairman Steve Daines of Montana stated during a July interview that he had no intention of getting involved, Trump he spoke positively from Moreno before. Moreno and Trump also have in common that Moreno’s son-in-law, Rep. Max Miller (R-OH), is a former Trump adviser whose bid for Congress was endorsed by the former president.
State Sen. Matt Dolan and Secretary of State Frank LaRose are also running in the Republican primary.
Forecasts to consider next year’s Ohio Senate race will be a toss-up, and polls indicate it will be a competitive race.
