In the race for Ohio’s Senate seat, Republican candidate Bernie Moreno is receiving significantly more backing from outside PACs compared to incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown, according to recent reports.
This election is crucial for the Democrats, as it may determine if they can maintain their slim majority in the Senate. While Ohio has leaned more Republican in recent elections, Brown has managed to outperform his Democratic peers in the Rust Belt. Factors such as presidential turnout and declining ticket splitting have sparked GOP optimism that Moreno can clinch this tight contest, especially since former President Donald Trump is anticipated to perform well in the state.
Despite having a stronger financial backing, Brown, who first joined the Senate in 2006, currently leads in fundraising with around $53 million raised, compared to Moreno’s $15 million. However, Moreno has garnered significant PAC support, with nearly $90 million directed towards his campaign. Specifically, two super PACs are responsible for over $50 million of that support. Notable contributors include Defend American Jobs, which has injected nearly $35 million into the race, and the Senate Leadership Fund affiliated with Mitch McConnell, contributing more than $20 million.
On the flip side, pro-Brown PACs have spent about $22.5 million, including around $20 million from the WinSenate PAC targeting Moreno’s campaign. While Moreno has the edge in PAC spending, Brown has a fundraising lead, holding about $10.7 million in the bank compared to Moreno’s $4.5 million as of the end of June.
As both candidates outline their platforms, Moreno focuses on themes such as immigration and economic growth, while Brown emphasizes his commitment to reproductive rights—a hot topic following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. Notably, Ohio voters recently passed a measure protecting abortion access, despite the state’s conservative leanings.
Moreno recently faced backlash for comments he made regarding women and abortion during a town hall, stating, “There’s a lot of suburban women that are like, ‘Listen, abortion is it. If I can’t have an abortion in this country whenever I want, I will vote for anybody else.’”
Current polling from FiveThirtyEight shows Brown with a slight lead of 2.4 points. Although he consistently led in summer polls, some recent surveys indicate Moreno may be gaining ground, including a RMG Research poll that found him up by 2 points. A competing poll from Morning Consult, however, showed Brown back in the lead.
The Cook Political Report categorizes Ohio’s Senate race as a toss-up, highlighting the competitive nature of this election. As Democrats aim to maintain their narrow 51-49 Senate majority, they face substantial challenges defending seats in increasingly red states. With Republicans expected to gain a seat in West Virginia, the stakes for both parties are incredibly high, particularly as they try to secure key wins in Ohio and Montana amid shifting polling dynamics.