Republican businessman Bernie Moreno has defeated incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), the chair of the Senate Banking Committee, boosting Republican chances of taking back control of the Senate.
Moreno, 57, who built up a successful network of car dealerships in Ohio, had trailed Brown, who is completing his third Senate term, in the polls for much of the race.
He was propelled to victory in part because of former President Trump’s strong performance at the top of the ticket. Trump is projected to easily defeat Vice President Harris in Ohio.
Moreno cruised to an easy victory in the Republican primary, buoyed by Trump’s endorsement in December.
He ran for the Senate in 2022 but dropped out at Trump’s urging. JD Vance wound up winning the nomination that year, going on to be elected to the Senate and later serving as Trump’s running mate.