Trump-backed candidate Bernie Moreno wins Ohio Republican Senate primary, NBC News projects

Donald Trump-backed businessman Bernie Moreno will win Ohio’s Republican Senate primary, NBC News projects, teeing up a high stakes November contest against incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

“What we have to do now is, as a fully united party, understand we have one mission, which is to get rid of Sherrod Brown,” Moreno said in a victory speech in a Cleveland suburb Tuesday night.

Moreno’s main opponent was State Sen. Matt Dolan, who secured the endorsement of Ohio’s popular Republican Gov. Mike DeWine early last week. Secretary of State Frank LaRose was also on the ballot, but held a steady third place, out-funded by his wealthier competitors. 

Moreno’s victory sends an early message for this election year: Trump’s MAGA seal of approval may hold a power in 2024 that it did not several years ago.

“I wear with honor. My endorsement of President but from President Trump, I wear that with a badge of honor,” Moreno said.

In 2020, Trump lost the White House to President Joe Biden and the GOP lost both chambers of Congress. In 2022, many Trump-backed candidates underperformed in key races, though Republicans were able to narrowly take back the House. 

With memories of that spotty track record still fresh, Ohio’s race was positioned as a test for whether the former president’s backing had renewed sway over the GOP establishment this election year. 

The success of Moreno, 57, a politically inexperienced entrepreneur who made his living as a luxury car dealer and blockchain investor, over career politician Dolan boosts Trump’s comeback thesis.