As the Ohio Republican Senate primary approached, there were discussions in Donald Trump’s circle about whether Bernie Moreno, Trump’s favored candidate, was the right choice.
Moreno, a successful car salesman from Cleveland, has been a strong supporter of Trump’s ideas since he ran in the previous Senate primary. Despite dropping out of that race after meeting with Trump, he became a frontrunner in this year’s contest.
However, a recent news report revealed that an account linked to Moreno’s email was used on an adult website in 2008, which raised eyebrows considering Moreno’s stance against LGBTQ rights. Although Moreno denied any involvement, some in the party were skeptical.
Even before this news, Moreno’s lead in the polls was slipping to Matt Dolan, a lawyer and member of the Cleveland Guardians’ family. Nonetheless, Trump stood by Moreno, rallying for him in Dayton, and Moreno won the primary by a significant margin.
Donald Trump (Credits: Getty Images)
Looking ahead, some Democrats think Dolan would have been a stronger candidate against incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown due to his moderate views. However, Moreno’s background in upscale business might appeal to a broader base.
Trump’s concern might not be Moreno’s victory but rather the lack of support from educated Ohioans. A significant portion of Republican primary voters had chosen other candidates, indicating a potential fracture in Trump’s base.
In the general election, Trump’s past actions, especially his association with the Capitol riot, could cost him support among swing voters. Despite his likely dominance in future primaries, there’s a risk of eventual defeat if these issues aren’t addressed.
