Bernie Moreno: Trump proselytizer instigator aiming for Ohio Senate seat | Republican

Bernie Moreno won a convincing victory in the Republican Senate primary. Ohio Tuesday night ensured that the fiery right-winger would face off against Democrat Sherrod Brown in a key race.

Moreno's victory makes the Trump-backed politician the party's standard-bearer against Brown in a race that could decide control of the Senate.

But it also sheds light on the Democratic Party's controversial strategy of supporting extremist Republican candidates in contests for the party's nomination in the belief that they are likely to win in the general election. While this increases the chances of a Democratic victory, it also risks these extremists defeating Republican candidates. He might actually win.

Moreno, 57, is the embodiment of the American dream for his supporters, a Colombian-born, Florida-raised car dealer turned powerful populist Republican voice.

He's not, his lawyer. claim thatFrom his email account, he posted a post on the Adult Friend Finder website years ago seeking “young men to have fun with” and “men for one-on-one sex.” I am.

that scandal broken The final stages of the Ohio Senate primary did not upset Mr. Moreno, who had expressed pro-LGBTQ+ views before winning Mr. Trump's endorsement. Former intern (and donor) Said He wrote the website post as an “aborted prank.”

Moreno, on the other hand, may have received a boost from attack ads supported by groups with ties to Senate Democrats. called He is “too conservative for Ohio” and “too aligned” with Donald Trump.

The idea was to present incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown with an opponent who could easily be portrayed as too extreme for Ohio. Such tactics have worked elsewhere, in Republican states, especially when it comes to threats to reproductive rights, an issue of national interest. Democratic Party Since the conservative-dominated U.S. Supreme Court stripped away the federal government's right to abortion.

But Ohio has moved sharply to the right since President Trump entered politics, and critics have accused Democrats of playing with fire.

On Saturday, President Trump held a violent rally in Dayton. On Tuesday, Moreno overturned a close poll and won a landslide victory over state Sen. Matt Dolan, who is supported by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine and incumbent Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

Moreno: “We have a chance now” Said. “We have an opportunity to retire the old communists.”

It was a Trump-like insult to Brown, a populist Democrat who was first elected in 2007 but is now considered an underdog. republican party Aims to retake the Senate.

brown Said: “The choice ahead of Ohio is clear. Bernie Moreno has spent his career and campaign putting himself first, and if elected, he will do the same.” work for ”

“I want to thank President Trump for everything he's done for me, this campaign, his unwavering support, and his love for this country. I don't think I've ever seen anyone love this country as much as he does,” Moreno said. ”

It was a predictable display of loyalty to the 14-year-old Republican presidential candidate. criminal liability This stemmed from his attempt to overturn his 2020 loss to Joe Biden, culminating in the deadly attack on Congress on January 6th.

President Trump also faces 40 criminal charges related to keeping classified information and 34 charges related to hush money payments to adult film stars. In the civil suit, Trump struggle “After posting another bond on a rape charge, a judge ordered him to post a multi-million dollar bond on a fraud conviction.”substantially true”.

Like many Republicans, Moreno once opposed Trump. In 2016, when Trump emerged as the nominee, Moreno called He was a “madman” and a “lunatic”, intent on a “hostile takeover” of the party.

Now, like nearly every Republican, Moreno says Trump should return to office.

Moreno: “The next seven months will be tough” Said on tuesday. “But we are going to win this race in November, take back the U.S. Senate, put President Trump in the White House, and deliver on our 'America First' agenda.”

Aspects of Moreno's agenda that he has been promoting in his campaign include delivering on “absolutely.” Ukraine has no more moneyperiod of war with Russia” and “Restore[ing] the integrity of our elections”, nodding to President Trump's lies about election fraud.

But Mr. Moreno also poses a risk for Mr. Brown, as he plans to campaign on similar blue-collar issues.

Before Election Day, Moreno defended Trump's controversial prediction that there would be “bloodshed” if he lost to Biden in November. saying It was a reference to the decline of American industry.

“This is America's first territory” Moreno He told the right-wing network Newsmax.along with J.D. Vance, another U.S. senator from Ohio and a Republican populist.

“Ohio knows, because…what's happening in Lorain, Youngstown, Dayton, Cleveland, Columbus, once great, prosperous cities, our industries are in disaster there. So they understand… [Trump’s] When they comment, they know what it's like to have a father, so their grandfather lost his job and was shipped overseas. They won't be fooled. ”

On Tuesday night, he covered similar territory.

“People say I've lived the American dream,” Moreno said. “My little car dealership started with nothing. So it's not really the American Dream in my opinion.”

Referring to his father-in-law by name, he said: “Dennis attended high school in Hobart, Indiana…he graduated from high school and was reported to work for U.S. Steel…so he worked there, bought a house, and was able to buy a car,” 3 people said. He raised his children, sent them to good schools in a safe neighborhood, and is now able to retire debt-free. That is the American dream. That's what's under attack. And that's where we return. ”

Commentators emphasized the upcoming battle.

Quoted by Moreno about the American Dream now out of reach for many peopleconservative columnist Matt Lewis said. Said“If he continues to campaign like this over the next eight months, Sherrod Brown will be in trouble.”

Democratic strategist Rachel Bitekofer Said: “Ohio, MAGA extremist Bernie Moreno supports a national abortion ban. Pass it.”