'You got this': Internet roots for Bernie Moreno after Trump's endorsement makes him top GOP contender in Ohio Senate race

COLUMBUS, OHIO: Bernie Moreno, a fervent ally of former President Donald Trump, is rapidly emerging as the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the closely-watched Ohio Senate race, poised to challenge Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown.

Beginning the primary with low name recognition, Moreno faced an uphill battle against formidable GOP rivals, including Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and state Senator Matt Dolan. However, a game-changing endorsement from the former president, coupled with backing from influential Republican figures, has propelled Moreno to the forefront in the race.

Trump's endorsement alters dynamics

Mark Weaver, a Republican strategist based in Ohio, commented on Moreno's newfound momentum. He told The Hill, “Moreno now has the inside track to win this [primary] race, presuming he’s willing to spend some of his own money to communicate Trump’s endorsement and press the case against Dolan and LaRose.”

The endorsement from Trump, a dominant force within the GOP, has significantly altered the dynamics of the primary, elevating Moreno over his competitors. Ohio-based polls in December began reflecting this shift, with Moreno moving ahead of both LaRose and Dolan, who had initially been the first to declare his candidacy.

Senator Sherrod Brown, one of the two incumbent Democrats seeking re-election in a state that voted for Trump in both 2016 and 2020, recognizes the significance of this race. Brown, an experienced campaigner, has already initiated attacks against Moreno, aiming to highlight his ties to Trump in an effort to galvanize Democrats and those wary of the former president.

“If we let Moreno and Trump outraise and outspend us, we could lose this race and our Senate majority,” warns a fundraising email from Brown’s campaign, acknowledging the potential threat posed by Moreno's growing support.

The Ohio Senate Republican primary initially featured a crowded field, with Dolan, Moreno, and LaRose all entering the race. LaRose, having been elected to statewide office, initially enjoyed a lead in early polls due to his name-recognition advantage. However, the landscape shifted in December, with polls indicating Moreno's rise.

Despite LaRose’s early frontrunner status, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) chose not to back any specific candidate, affirming that all contenders were deemed strong challengers against Brown.

Sen Steve Daines, Chair of the NRSC, highlighted the competitiveness of the race.

“But we think that Matt Dolan, Bernie Moreno, and Frank LaRose are all capable of beating Sherrod Brown,” he said. “We will have a primary … in March, and we’ll be off to the general election.”

After Trump’s endorsement, Moreno secured additional support from influential GOP leaders, further solidifying his position as the leading Republican candidate. Rep Jim Jordan and Sen John Barrasso have both thrown their support behind Moreno, recognizing the impact of Trump’s endorsement in shaping the outcome of the primary.

"The other endorsements are the saplings in the forest, and the Trump endorsement is the mighty oak," remarked Weaver. "That’s the one that Bernie Moreno will be touting the most."

Internet reacts to Moreno emerging as top candidate for Republican nomination

Moreno's supporters cheered him on social media as he emerged as the leading candidate for the Republican nomination to face Brown.

"@berniemoreno is exactly who we need in the senate in Ohio, right here, right now!" one posted on X.

"I only watched a bit Bernie seems the least hawkish about sending all our money overseas. It's crazy that the Frank & Matt are so eager for more reckless military adventurism after the disastrous past 20 years. Sad!" another wrote.

"I am voting for outsiders only in the MAGA era. You got this Moreno," someone else added.

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