Bernie Moreno/ Sherrod Brown/ Ohio Senate race/ abortion debate/ Trump endorsement./ Newslooks/ COLUMBUS/ Ohio/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno’s comments on abortion rights have put reproductive health at the forefront of Ohio’s competitive Senate race, where incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown sees the issue as central to his campaign. Moreno claims he was joking, but his words have stirred controversy in this pivotal, costly contest.
Ohio Senate Race Intensifies as Moreno’s Abortion Remarks Ignite Debate: Quick Looks
- Controversial Comment: Moreno questioned women’s focus on abortion, sparking backlash.
- Democratic Strategy: Brown emphasizes abortion rights as a campaign priority.
- High Stakes: Senate control could hinge on Ohio’s election, drawing $400 million in spending.
- Republican Response: Moreno’s team claims women are equally concerned with economy, security.
- Ad Spending: Republicans lead ad buys, but Brown’s campaign has strong financial support.
Moreno’s Abortion Remarks Shift Focus in High-Stakes Ohio Senate Race
Deep Look
An offhand remark from Republican Bernie Moreno about women’s focus on reproductive rights has thrust abortion back into the spotlight in Ohio’s tightly contested Senate race, one of the most expensive in the nation. The comment, captured on video from a town hall in Warren County, shows Moreno, 57, questioning why women over 50 prioritize abortion access, implying it’s irrelevant to their lives. Incumbent Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown, who has made abortion rights a central theme of his re-election campaign, swiftly responded, highlighting the issue in what has become a key battleground for Senate control.
As the campaigns heat up, Moreno has tried to downplay his comment, insisting it was made jokingly. “Sadly, there are a lot of suburban women who are like, ‘If I can’t have an abortion whenever I want, I’ll vote for anyone else,’” Moreno said. But his remark has ignited backlash even within his party. Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley criticized Moreno as “#ToneDeaf,” sarcastically adding, “Are you trying to lose the election?”
Moreno’s controversial remark has shifted campaign focus from economic and immigration concerns to abortion, complicating the GOP’s messaging in a race where Brown is already positioning himself as a defender of reproductive rights. Brown has framed the issue as one of personal choice, saying he supports last year’s state constitutional amendment, which protects Ohioans’ reproductive freedom, and vows to uphold it if re-elected. “Ohioans believe women should make their own health care decisions,” Brown said. “Moreno thinks he should.”
A Costly, High-Stakes Campaign
Ohio’s Senate race has set new financial records, with both parties pouring funds into ad campaigns. By early October, total ad spending surpassed $400 million, according to AdImpact, making it the priciest Senate race to date. Republicans have so far outspent Democrats in the general election, deploying approximately $188.4 million to boost Moreno since his March primary win. Democrats, meanwhile, have invested $159.7 million in Brown, with more ad reservations from both parties set through Election Day.
Moreno, a wealthy Cleveland businessman backed by former President Donald Trump, remains undeterred by the controversy. A spokesperson for Moreno’s campaign defended the candidate’s perspective, stating that he believes female voters are equally concerned with economic, crime, and border issues as male voters. The campaign accused Brown of trying to frame women as “single-issue voters” focused solely on abortion. Moreno has repeatedly argued that issues like inflation and border security resonate strongly with voters, regardless of gender.
Republican Confidence and Moreno’s Challenges
Moreno has reason to be confident: Ohio’s political landscape has trended Republican in recent years, with Trump winning the state by solid margins in both 2016 and 2020. Trump’s influence remains strong, as evidenced by JD Vance’s Senate win and Trump’s own support of Moreno during the Republican primary. Moreno’s campaign strategy includes aligning himself with Trump on key policy stances, such as securing the U.S.-Mexico border and emphasizing economic recovery, themes he argues have been sidelined by Democratic leadership.
Republican attacks against Brown have also sought to paint him as aligned with Biden administration policies on immigration, crime, and education. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has accused Brown of supporting “biological men in women’s sports” and stimulus benefits for undocumented immigrants. While the claims stretch the truth—Brown’s vote prevented defunding of schools that allow transgender athletes, and he voted against benefits for undocumented immigrants—the repeated messaging has struck a chord with conservative voters.
Ad Spending and Financial Strategies
As of October, more than 90% of Moreno’s ad spending has come from Republican-aligned outside groups. Brown’s team, however, benefits from a fundraising advantage: the Democrat has raised $51 million, compared to Moreno’s $15.3 million, which includes a $4.5 million personal loan to his campaign. Moreno’s spending stands at around $10 million, although updated campaign finance reports are pending.
Senate Majority PAC, a group linked to Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, has reserved $65 million in Ohio ad time from Labor Day through Election Day. According to PAC President JB Poersch, Brown’s campaign enjoys a strong communication advantage, bolstered by his reputation, long-term voter relationships, and steady fundraising.
Immigration and Other Divisive Issues
The race is likely to revisit immigration frequently, as it remains a central issue in both Ohio and other battleground states. Republicans are capitalizing on Biden administration policies they argue have led to insecurity and unrest, including recent clashes in Springfield, Ohio, which led to temporary school closures due to bomb threats. Moreno has blamed the Springfield turmoil on lax immigration policies, calling the increased number of Haitian immigrants a “Haitian invasion” and a federal misstep.
Brown, while refraining from directly criticizing Trump or Vance, said that “political posturing” was making the Springfield situation worse. His campaign has focused instead on defending recent legislative measures to improve economic stability, citing his support for manufacturing, social security, and veterans’ rights.
Moreno, meanwhile, has weathered controversies beyond his abortion comment. An Associated Press report revealed that a profile was created on an adult website using Moreno’s email address, an incident his lawyer claims was a prank by a former intern. Despite the controversy, Moreno maintains Trump’s endorsement and spoke at the Republican National Convention in July.
As Election Day approaches, both candidates are poised for a fierce finish in Ohio’s costly, closely-watched Senate race. With control of the Senate at stake, the spotlight on Ohio could impact the direction of key issues, from economic policies to immigration and reproductive rights, in the state and beyond.
