Former President Donald Trump is making a return to Ohio this weekend to rally support for businessman Bernie Moreno, the Republican Senate candidate he endorsed in the state's contentious GOP primary. Trump's visit comes just days before the state's March 19 primary, where Moreno is vying for the nomination against other major contenders, including state Sen. Matt Dolan and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose.
Trump's involvement in the Ohio Senate race highlights the ongoing power struggle within the Republican Party, with Dolan receiving endorsements from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and former Sen. Rob Portman, who are considered part of the state's Republican establishment. Dolan has positioned himself as a supporter of Trump's policies while distancing himself from the former president's personality.
Moreno, endorsed by Trump in December, has framed the race as a battle between the 'America-First Republican Party' and the 'RINO establishment,' referring to some GOP members as 'Republicans in name only.' The primary campaigns have been marked by negative attack ads, with Democrats also getting involved to boost Moreno's candidacy, whom they view as the weakest general election nominee.
The winner of the GOP primary will face off against longtime Democrat Sherrod Brown in November, in a state that has shifted towards the Republican Party in recent years. With Democrats holding a slim majority in the U.S. Senate, Republicans are eyeing a favorable Senate map in 2024, with key battleground states up for grabs.
As Trump solidifies his position as the presumptive 2024 Republican nominee, his influence over the party is growing. Recent developments within the Republican National Committee and Congress reflect Trump's continued impact on GOP politics, despite facing some resistance from House Republicans on certain issues.
The Ohio Senate race and broader political landscape underscore the ongoing power struggle and realignment within the Republican Party as it prepares for the upcoming elections.
