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Add Ohio To List Of States Dumping Democrat Senators, GOP Poised To Take Control

Staff Writer

Updated: Oct 10, 2024

In a critical battle for control of the U.S. Senate, Ohio's Republican nominee Bernie Moreno has surged to tie with incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown, putting the GOP on the verge of flipping a key seat and securing a Senate majority.


With control of the U.S. Senate hanging in the balance, Ohio’s pivotal Senate race is shaping up to favor the Republicans. GOP Senate nominee Bernie Moreno has closed the gap with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), erasing what was once a substantial lead for the Democratic incumbent.


An internal poll from the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) shows both candidates tied at 46 percent, a remarkable shift from April when Brown held a seven-point lead. Moreno’s campaign has surged amid heavy Republican support, overcoming a bruising primary and tens of millions in attack ads from Brown’s camp and Democratic groups.


Republicans are pouring money into the race, outspending Democrats by $41 million during September alone. The aggressive spending strategy is paying off. Brown's approval ratings have sunk, with his approval and disapproval numbers now even at 45 percent, compared to a more favorable 49-36 percent split just months ago.


Moreno’s rise mirrors the successful 2022 campaign of Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), who also started behind but gained momentum to defeat his Democratic challenger by more than six points. But Moreno has an added advantage this cycle — Donald Trump on the ballot. Trump carried Ohio by eight points in both 2016 and 2020 and is expected to draw even more Republican voters to the polls in November.


“After lighting up the airwaves with nearly $50 million dollars, Sherrod Brown is stuck under 50% in every single poll,” said Moreno campaign spokesperson Reagan McCarthy. “While Brown fundraises with Hollywood elites, Bernie is crisscrossing Ohio and earning every vote.”


Ohio’s race is one of several critical Senate battles that could flip control of the chamber to Republicans. In addition to Ohio, Democrats face tough reelections in red states like Montana, where Sen. Jon Tester is trailing Republican challenger Tim Sheehy, and in West Virginia, where Sen. Joe Manchin’s retirement has left an open seat leaning heavily Republican.


With Ohio now a virtual toss-up, Republicans are optimistic that a Moreno win could be the key to securing a Senate majority.

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