Vance supports Moreno for Ohio Senate to avoid a primary battle.

Sen. J.D. Vance Endorses Bernie Moreno for Ohio Senate GOP Primary

Background

Business executive Bernie Moreno has received the endorsement of Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) for Ohio’s 2024 Senate GOP primary. Moreno previously ran in the 2022 Ohio Senate primary before withdrawing and supporting Vance. Moreno has endorsed former President Donald Trump for president in 2024 and has aligned himself with the MAGA wing of the party. If he wins the primary, he will likely face incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

Vance’s Endorsement

Vance stated that “Bernie is committed to securing our southern border, getting tough on China, and taking the fight to the woke corporations waging war against our conservative values.” Vance views Moreno as an ideological ally and wants to avoid a repeat of the bruising primary he faced in 2022. Vance believes that Moreno is the candidate best positioned to flip the Senate seat in 2024.

Moreno’s Platform

Moreno’s platform includes border security, the America First agenda, countering China, undercutting the “unholy alliance of woke corporations and Big Government,” targeting Big Tech, and stopping President Joe Biden’s “radical Green New Deal policies.”

Main Rivals

Moreno’s main rival is Republican state Sen. Matt Dolan, who finished third in the 2022 primary after Vance and former state Treasurer Josh Mandel. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) are also rumored to be considering a run.

Ohio is a top target for Republicans, and Democrats currently hold a slim 51-49 majority in the Senate.