Top GOP senator endorsing Moreno in Ohio race

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), the third-ranking Senate Republican, endorsed Ohio Senate GOP primary candidate Bernie Moreno.

Barrasso’s endorsement marks the third endorsement Moreno has had from prominent GOP groups and individuals, following former President Trump and the Club for Growth, a group known for its involvement and endorsements in Republican circles. 

Barrasso, in a statement provided to The Hill, said Moreno will “help make America stronger and safer,” and that he is “built for Ohio.”

“Bernie knows, right now, Ohio families are facing prices that are too high and a southern border that is in crisis. He’s focused on the priorities of Ohioans.” 

Moreno applauded Barrasso’s endorsement Tuesday on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

“Very honored to have the endorsement of GOP conference chair @SenJohnBarrasso,” Moreno tweeted. “Ohio Republicans know that we must be fully united to defeat @SherrodBrown and the tens of millions of out of State special interest money that he will have bankrolling his campaign.”

Common Values PAC, a leadership PAC affiliated with Barrasso, is expected to back Moreno’s bid with a maximum of $5,000 donations in each of the primary and general elections, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Moreno, who also has the backing of Sens. JD Vance (R-Ohio) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), launched his Senate bid in April 2023. The businessman faces Republican opponents state Sen. Matt Dolan and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose in the primary. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) is the sitting incumbent since 2007.

Republicans are looking to flip seats in other districts around the country. They are targeting Michigan, West Virginia and Montana.

Brown and Montana Sen. Jon Tester are seen as some of the most vulnerable Democratic candidates seeking reelection in the 2024 election cycle, according to Cook Political Report’s 2024 Senate Race Ratings. Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) seat is likely to flip red, after the longtime lawmaker announced he’d be retiring from the upper chamber when his current term ends.

“[President] Biden and Brown have been wrong for too long on China and our economy,” Barrasso said in the statement. “Their policies on the border are badly hurting Ohio families.”

Politico first reported the endorsement.