Former Mercedes-Benz dealership owner Bernie Moreno won the nomination as the Republican Senatorial Candidate Tuesday in a three-way race, while Democratic Incumbent Sherrod Brown received the nomination uncontested.
Moreno received the GOP nomination with 541,990, as of 11:16 p.m. votes or 50.4% of voters according to a New York Times report. In Athens County, Moreno received 1,728 votes, or 49% of voters.
Moreno purchased a North Olmstead Mercedes-Benz dealership in 2005 that won awards like Mercedes-Benz “Best of the Best,” and “Premier Status” recognition.
After selling most of his business, Moreno began to focus on politics. In 2022, he ran for the Republican nomination but dropped out before J.D. Vance received the nomination and eventually won the general election.
Moreno has been endorsed by former President and GOP presidential primary candidate, Donald Trump. The two campaigned together in Dayton at a rally on Saturday.
“Solving our country’s problems requires common sense,” Moreno’s campaign website wrote. “In Washington, Bernie will fight to shrink government, protect our freedoms, stop the Chinese communist party from taking our data and land, and always put America First.”
With two other names on the GOP Ohio primary, Moreno went head-to-head with Matt Dolan and Frank LaRose on Tuesday during the primary election.
LaRose received 180,254 votes, or 16.8% of voters in Ohio. In Athens County, LaRose received 802 votes, or 23% of voters. Dolan received 352,578 votes, or 32.8% of voters in Ohio. In Athens County, Dolan received 1,013 votes, or 29% of voters.
Former Secretary of State in Ohio, LaRose’s campaign goals included reducing trade with China, funding more money for the military, ensuring no federal dollars go to abortions and decreasing federal spending.
Current second-term U.S. Senator for Ohio and former Geauga County prosecutor, Dolan has led efforts to protect and preserve Lake Erie, is an advocate for school choice, funded police and helped pass a unanimous $54 billion budget that lowered taxes.
According to the Senate website, Brown prioritizes his goals such as a permanent Earned Income Tax Credit, investing in infrastructure, fair trade, thriving small business sectors, increasing the number of jobs and ensuring better health care for all ages.
“No matter who wins Tuesday, I'll beat them in November,” Brown said in an X, formerly known as Twitter, post on Saturday.
Over his time in the Senate, Brown led the opposition to the Central American Free Trade Agreement, helped stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership and started the Level the Playing Field Act that former President Barack Obama signed, according to his campaign website.
“Corporate greed is a threat to Ohio small businesses and workers,” Brown wrote in an X, formerly known as Twitter, post Friday. “I will always stand up to corporations and special interests to fight for Ohioans.
Brown is in the agriculture, nutrition, and forestry committee, the banking, housing, and urban affairs committee, the finance committee and the veterans’ affairs committee.
“1 in 7 Ohio jobs are in Agriculture,” Brown said in an X, formerly known as Twitter, postThursday. “As the first Ohioan on the Agriculture Committee in 50 years, I’m proud to always fight for Ohio farmers.”
After the announcement of Moreno’s nomination, Moreno said he, “just got off the phone” with former President and GOP presidential primary candidate, Donald Trump.
"Bernie Moreno, a highly respected businessman from the great State of Ohio, is exactly the type of MAGA fighter that we need in the United States Senate,” Trump said according to a campaign poster for Moreno.
Moreno has voiced his goals including empowering parents to make education choices, increasing border security and cutting government spending.
“I’m sick of weak RINOs (Republican In Name Only) who won’t stand with President Trump,” Moreno said in an X, formerly known as Twitter, post Saturday. “He’s a good man who fights for us and I’m proud to have his support.”
