Current:Home > InvestNovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Center:Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine bypasses Trump-backed Bernie Moreno with US Senate primary endorsement -WealthX
NovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Center:Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine bypasses Trump-backed Bernie Moreno with US Senate primary endorsement
Chainkeen View
Date:2025-04-11 11:02:51
COLUMBUS,NovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Center Ohio (AP) — Republican Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio parted ways with Donald Trump on Monday and endorsed state Sen. Matt Dolan over Trump-backed businessman Bernie Moreno in the state’s three-way GOP primary for a U.S. Senate seat.
In breaking ranks with the former president, DeWine called Dolan the party’s best shot at defeating Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown in November.
Brown is viewed as one of the Senate’s most vulnerable Democrats seeking reelection this fall, while Dolan has cast himself as a moderate Republican and the only candidate in his primary who didn’t actively seek Trump’s endorsement.
In a letter to fellow Ohioans, DeWine and his wife Fran urged them to vote for Dolan. They praised Dolan for his “service, experience, and integrity,” and wrote: “He listens. He fights. And, he knows how to get results for Ohio.”
DeWine’s decision highlights continued divisions between establishment Republicans in the one-time battleground state and the party’s increasingly dominant pro-Trump flank, which twice chose him for president by strong margins. Ohio’s state GOP was the first in the nation to endorse Trump for president this year.
Only about two weeks ago, DeWine told reporters he didn’t plan any endorsement in the GOP primary, which also features Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, his fellow state officeholder. But that was before the March 19 primary edged ever closer with no apparent runaway leader and a large swath of Republican voters still undecided.
Moderate former U.S. Sen. Rob Portman similarly weighed in late in the contest, endorsing Dolan on Friday.
DeWine’s move is less likely to hurt Moreno, who has campaigned heavily on the Trump endorsement, than LaRose, a former Green Beret and second-term state officeholder who has been working to carve out a winning lane in the race.
LaRose frequently points out that Moreno and Dolan are millionaires, having self-funded their campaigns to the tune of a combined $10 million, while he is merely a “thousandaire.” Moreno made his fortune in Cleveland, first building a luxury auto sales business and later in blockchain technology, which generates “blocks” of information or transactions into ledgers that are secure and transparent. Dolan’s family owns baseball’s Cleveland Guardians.
Moreno campaigned Monday throughout central Ohio with Trump-backed South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem. He’s also enjoyed support on the campaign trail from other big-name Trump allies, including Donald Trump Jr. His endorsements also include Ohio’s Trump-backed Republican U.S. Sen. JD Vance, pro-Trump fighter U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
But DeWine’s decision suggested such conservative backing may not be enough against Brown, a three-term senator who’s been one of the state’s most reliably elected politicians for decades.
DeWine, too, has such a legacy — having served as a former state legislator, congressman, U.S. senator and lieutenant governor. He won reelection by a 25% margin in 2022, carrying 85 of Ohio’s 88 counties.
Republicans view Brown, among the most liberal members of the Senate, as particularly vulnerable this year because of the unpopularity of the same-party president, Joe Biden, and Ohio’s tack to the political right in recent years.
veryGood! (11)
Related
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- The Rock confirms he isn't done with WWE, has eyes set on WrestleMania 41 in 2025
- FBI agents board ship responsible for Baltimore bridge collapse as investigation continues
- WEALTH FORGE INSTITUTE- A PRACTITIONER FOR THE BENEFIT OF SOCIETY
- Small twin
- Nebraska teacher arrested after police find her, teen student naked in car, officials say
- NASA confirms mystery object that crashed through roof of Florida home came from space station
- The Daily Money: Happy Tax Day!
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Supreme Court allows Idaho to enforce its ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth
Ranking
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso, WNBA draft prospects visit Empire State Building
- Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid joins exclusive group with 100-assist season
- Jamie Lynn Spears' Daughter Maddie Is All Grown Up in Prom Photos
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- Appalachian State chancellor stepping down this week, citing “significant health challenges”
- Endangered Bornean orangutan born at Busch Gardens in Florida
- Caitlin Clark is best thing to happen to WNBA. Why are some players so frosty toward her?
Recommendation
Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
FBI agents board ship responsible for Baltimore bridge collapse as investigation continues
Federal law enforcement investigating Baltimore bridge collapse, sources say
Charges against Trump and Jan. 6 rioters at stake as Supreme Court hears debate over obstruction law
Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
Rust Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for 2021 Fatal Shooting
Morgan Price on her path to making history as first national gymnastics champion from an HBCU
2 sought for damaging popular Lake Mead rock formations