Ohio Senate Race Heats Up as Democratic Super PAC Targets Trump-Endorsed Bernie Moreno

Aiden Starling

Updated Friday, March 15, 2024 at 6:08 AM CDT

Ohio Senate Race Heats Up as Democratic Super PAC Targets Trump-Endorsed Bernie Moreno

In a bold move that's shaking up the Ohio Senate race, the Democratic-affiliated Duty and Country PAC has launched a $2.7 million ad campaign targeting Bernie Moreno, a Republican candidate endorsed by Donald Trump. The ad, which is part of an aggressive strategy leading up to the primary, sharply criticizes Moreno's conservative stances, including his intent to repeal the Affordable Care Act and enforce a national abortion ban.

Amidst what is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive and costly battle, incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown faces potential opposition from Moreno who is currently embroiled in a tough GOP primary fight with state Sen. Matt Dolan and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. A Trump rally is set to boost Moreno's campaign near Dayton, while Dolan enjoys backing from influential Ohio figures such as Gov. Mike DeWine and former Sen. Rob Portman.

The controversial ad suggests that Moreno is Trump's choice, but not necessarily reliant on the former president's support. This claim comes as national Democrats appear to be investing heavily in Moreno's primary campaign, signaling that they view him as a weaker candidate against Brown in the general election.

The political maneuvering has led to accusations from Matt Dolan's camp, with strategist Chris Maloney and Dolan himself calling out Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and associated PACs for meddling in the Republican primary to dilute the competition. Senate Majority PAC spokesperson Hannah Menchhoff has labeled Moreno as a "MAGA extremist," while Moreno's campaign warns that underestimating their candidate could lead to a surprise victory akin to Trump's 2016 win.

This strategic play of influencing opposition primaries is not new, as demonstrated by Duty and Country PAC's actions and past tactics used by Democrats like Claire McCaskill in 2012 and Josh Shapiro in 2022.

Meanwhile, the Republican Party is witnessing a surge of Trump loyalists, including Lara Trump, the new party co-chair who questions the legitimacy of Biden's presidency, and Christina Bobb, a far-right news anchor serving as the party's senior counsel for election integrity. Michael Whatley, the new chair of the Republican Party endorsed by Trump, has also made unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.

In Oregon, the political landscape is equally tumultuous. Republican state senators Brian Boquist and Dennis Linthicum, both barred from reelection due to a record-long walkout, are now vying for statewide offices. Boquist is campaigning for state treasurer while Linthicum seeks the secretary of state position, despite their disqualification under Measure 113 for having more than 10 unexcused absences from the legislature.

The Oregon Supreme Court upheld their disqualification, but not without controversy. Boquist, a U.S. Army veteran and member of the Legislature since 2009, won a case defending his First Amendment right to free speech. He now faces Democratic state Sen. Elizabeth Steiner and Jeff Gudman in the treasurer's race. Linthicum, in office since 2017, is up against Democrats Tobias Read and state Sen. James Manning for secretary of state.

As the political drama unfolds in Ohio and Oregon, voters are bracing for an election season filled with strategic moves and unexpected twists.

Conservative Bias:

Once again, the liberal elite are at it, folks, pouring millions into smear campaigns to target a true conservative patriot, Bernie Moreno, who stands with Trump and the American people. They're scared, terrified that a real leader will repeal their precious Obamacare and protect the unborn. They're meddling in OUR primaries, trying to handpick a weak opponent for their puppet Sherrod Brown. It's clear as day; they want to undermine the will of the people with their deep pockets and dirty tricks. And over in Oregon, they're celebrating the silencing of conservative voices, using technicalities to disqualify dedicated public servants fighting for election integrity. It's a rigged system, folks, and the Democrats will stop at nothing to maintain their stranglehold on power. But they underestimate the silent majority that's ready to rise up and take back our country. This isn't just politics; it's a battle for the soul of America.

Liberal Bias:

The GOP is descending into chaos, with Trump's cronies trying to buy yet another election, this time in Ohio. Bernie Moreno, another Trump lackey, is being propped up by the ex-president's toxic brand, aiming to strip healthcare from millions and control women's bodies. Thankfully, the Duty and Country PAC is exposing this MAGA extremist for what he is, a threat to democracy. Meanwhile, in Oregon, the Republican Party is so desperate that they're backing candidates who literally fled their responsibilities, abandoning democracy to push their fringe agenda. Measure 113 was a clear message from voters, yet these GOP operatives think they're above the law. They're not just running for office; they're running from accountability. It's clear that the Republican Party is no longer the party of Lincoln but the party of lies, lawlessness, and lunacy. We must remain vigilant and fight back against these attacks on our freedoms and our future.

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