Share this @internewscast.com

CLEVELAND — A Democratic group is airing a TV ad in Ohio’s hostile Republican Senate race emphasizing Bernie Moreno’s conservative positions and endorsement from Donald Trump — a move Moreno’s rivals see as an effort to influence the results of Tuesday’s primary.

“Moreno would lead the charge to enact Trump’s MAGA agenda to repeal Obamacare and institute a national ban on abortion,” the narrator says in the spot from Duty and Country PAC, which is affiliated with Senate Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC with ties to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

“Donald Trump needs Bernie Moreno,” the narrator concludes. “Bernie Moreno does not.”

AdImpact, a firm that tracks political ad spending across the country, first captured the 30-second ad Thursday morning on a local CBS station in Toledo. Duty and Country PAC has $2.7 million in ad spending reserved from Thursday through next week’s primary.

Ohio’s Senate race is expected to be one of the most competitive and expensive in the country this fall, with Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown seeking re-election in a state Trump won twice by 8 points.

The GOP primary is ending on a particularly tense and nasty note. Moreno, a businessman, is facing an aggressive challenge from state Sen. Matt Dolan, who has spent millions of his own dollars. Trump is scheduled to hold a rally for Moreno on Saturday night near Dayton, while Dolan has scored late endorsements from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and former Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is also running for the Republican nomination.

“Seen those ads supporting Bernie Moreno? Know who is paying for them? It’s Chuck Schumer,” Dolan posted Thursday on X. “Schumer just got CAUGHT meddling in our primary because he wants the weakest opponent for Sherrod Brown. Enough is enough.”

LaRose took a similar tack.

“Chuck Schumer is funding pro-Moreno ads because he knows Bernie’s background makes him the weakest candidate to face Sherrod Brown,” LaRose wrote in an X post late Wednesday. “The more Ohioans learn about Moreno, the less they trust him.” 

The content of the Duty and Country ad, first reported on by Politico, frames Moreno’s credentials as a negative at the beginning and the end but otherwise scans as a highlight reel that could appeal to right-leaning voters in the three-way primary. The meddling strategy has become increasingly common in campaigns, especially by Democrats seeking to draw a more favorable general election matchup. 

Then-Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., who was vulnerable in her 2012 re-election campaign, famously ran ads to elevate Todd Akin, a weaker candidate, in the GOP primary. Akin won the nomination, but his campaign later imploded after inflammatory comments about “legitimate rape” and abortion rights.

More recently, Democrat Josh Shapiro aired an ad spotlighting the conservative credentials of Republican Doug Mastriano in Pennsylvania’s 2022 GOP primary for governor. Mastriano won the nomination, and Shapiro beat him easily in the general election.

“National Democrats are putting millions of dollars behind Bernie Moreno in the waning days of this primary because he is damaged, unelectable and incapable of defeating Sherrod Brown,” Chris Maloney, a Dolan strategist, told NBC News. “Ohio voters will see through Chuck Schumer’s deception and reject this attempt by Sherrod Brown’s allies to meddle in the primary.”

“When Ohio voters head to their polling place they deserve to know the truth about Bernie Moreno — and the truth is that Moreno is a MAGA extremist who embraced Donald Trump just like he embraced his policies to ban abortion nationwide and repeal the ACA,” Senate Majority PAC spokesperson Hannah Menchhoff said in a statement.

Reagan McCarthy, a spokesperson for Moreno’s campaign, suggested that Democrats should be careful what they wish for, noting how many thought Trump would be the easiest Republican for Hillary Clinton to beat in the 2016 presidential election. Clinton lost.

“The same thing,” McCarthy said, “is going to happen to Sherrod Brown this year.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Man who sent 'So I raped you' message to New Jersey woman sentenced for 2013 Gettysburg College campus assault

New Jersey Woman’s Assailant Sentenced for 2013 Campus Assault Following Disturbing Message

A man who admitted to sexually assaulting a woman in college in…
'21st Century Digital Watergate': Another GOP Senator’s Phone Records Were Targeted by Biden’s DOJ

Biden’s DOJ Under Fire: Allegations of Targeting GOP Senator’s Phone Records in ‘Digital Watergate’ Scandal

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has reportedly had his phone records subpoenaed…
Blue city mayor rocked as gunfire hits home, says ‘none of us are immune’ from crime

Shocking Gunfire at Mayor’s Home Sparks Urgent Call for Action: Why No City is Safe from Crime Anymore

In a startling incident over the weekend, the residence of Stockton Mayor…
Violent symbolism, threats steal show at nationwide 'No Kings' protests

Dramatic Imagery and Threats Dominate Headlines at Nationwide ‘No Kings’ Protests

On Saturday, millions across the nation participated in peaceful demonstrations during the…
New video purportedly shows Louvre thieves in action during brazen daytime heist

Newly Released Footage Allegedly Captures Louvre Thieves Executing Daring Daytime Heist

Recently, fresh video footage has surfaced, potentially capturing the culprits behind the…
North Carolina man recounts shooting after Trump banner torn from mother’s yard: 'Some people just snap'

North Carolina Man Reflects on Shooting Incident Over Torn Trump Banner: A Tale of Sudden Anger

A troubling incident in North Carolina has captured attention, as a man…
Previously deported illegal immigrant allegedly kills man in hit-and-run after returning to US: DHS

Previously Deported Immigrant Accused in Fatal Hit-and-Run After Reentering U.S.: DHS Reports

The Department of Homeland Security has reported a tragic incident involving an…
Group faces loss of Northwestern University student status for refusing mandatory anti-bias training, which mentions Israel

Northwestern University Student Group Risks Derecognition Over Mandatory Anti-Bias Training Dispute Involving Israel Content

In Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern University has announced that up to 16 students…
Convicted felon federally charged after threatening Atlanta airport while armed with AR-15 rifle

Armed Felon Faces Federal Charges After Threatening Atlanta Airport with AR-15: A Chilling Security Breach

A Georgia resident is facing federal charges after allegedly threatening to “shoot…
Illegal immigrant allegedly causes fatal semi-truck crash on highway, killing driver: officials

Tragic Highway Collision: Unauthorized Immigrant Implicated in Fatal Semi-Truck Crash, Driver Deceased

An undocumented immigrant in Indiana has been detained following his alleged involvement…
Blue Jays beat Mariners in Game 7 of ALCS, now face Dodgers in World Series

Blue Jays Triumph Over Mariners in ALCS Finale, Set to Face Dodgers in World Series Showdown

The Toronto Blue Jays triumphed over the Seattle Mariners, clinching a 4-3…
Fraternity suspended after possible hazing leaves university student in critical condition: report

University Fraternity Faces Suspension Amid Alleged Hazing Incident: Student Critically Injured

A fraternity in New Jersey is facing suspension due to potential hazing…