WESTLAKE, Ohio — Republican Ohio Senate candidate Bernie Moreno has defeated three-term incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown in a stunning upset that hands the GOP another crucial seat in its quest to retake control of the Senate.
Moreno captured 50.6% of the state (2,667,385 votes) to Brown’s 46% (2,428,433) with 92% of the votes counted, the Associated Press reports.
It called the race around 11:30 p.m. Nov. 5.
Moreno’s victory in Ohio further solidifies the state’s evolution from swing state to burgeoning Republican stronghold.
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It’s also a devastating blow for Brown, who was among the last handful of Democrats standing in Congress from a state once known as a bastion of the blue-dog wing of the party.
On the campaign trail, Moreno’s message emphasized economics, public safety and immigration, which appealed strongly to the state’s rural and suburban voters dissatisfied with the economy and the direction of the country under President Biden.
While Donald Trump ran well ahead of Kamala Harris in the presidential contest, Moreno’s battle with Brown has been much more competitive, with the pair of Senate candidates trading one to two point polling leads in the final months of the campaign.
Brown faced intense scrutiny over his voting record and frequent alignment with Biden’s struggling Democratic agenda, a record Moreno and his supporters were happy to bring up often.
Despite a well-funded campaign and a fervent base of support in urban areas like Cleveland and Columbus, Brown struggled to counter the “establishment” label his opponent branded him with.
As the GOP prepares to assume Senate control in January, both parties are bracing for a contentious legislative session in 2025.
Moreno took the stage to thunderous applause at his victory party in the Cleveland suburbs.
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“Tonight we have a red, white and blue wave in this country. We need leaders that put our interests above their own. We’re tired of leaders that think we’re garbage. We’re tired of being treated like garbage,” he said.
He also had some words for Democrats in office.
“Chuck Schumer: Thanks for the help in the primary, but you’re fired, buddy,” Moreno said as the crowd erupted in more applause. “With Donald Trump and J.D. Vance in the White House, we’re gonna have a new agenda. We’re gonna be pro-immigration not pro-invasion. We’re gonna be an energy-dominant nation.”
To close, he offered a “Thank you” to President Trump for his “sacrifices” and to Vance a reminder: “Ohio loves you.”
Moreno will essentially become a senior senator overnight if the Trump-Vance ticket wins as well.
