CLEVELAND — Editor's Note: The above video features previous reporting on Bernie Moreno's U.S. Senate bid.
Northeast Ohio businessman Bernie Moreno has dropped out of the race for the Republican nod for the U.S. Senate. Moreno says he came to the decision to withdraw after a conversation with former President Donald Turmp.
Moreno's decision to end his campaign comes on the same day that Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose released the names of all of the candidates who have filed to run for the seat being vacated by the retiring Sen. Rob Portman.
“I asked for a private meeting with President Trump this afternoon to discuss the state of the Ohio Senate race. I am a businessman, not a politician. Business leaders recognize patterns before they happen. After talking to President Trump we both agreed this race has too many Trump candidates and could cost the MAGA movement a conservative seat," Moreno wrote in a statement.
According to LaRose, here are the candidates who have filed for the U.S. Senate seat:
- Republican: Matt Dolan, Mike Gibbons, Bill Graham, Josh Mandel, Bernie Moreno, Neil Patel, Mark Pukita, Jane Timken, J.D. Vance
- Democrat: Morgan Harper, Traci Johnson, Tim Ryan, LaShondra Tinsley
Among those running who might be considered "Trump candidates" are former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, former Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timken, and "Hillbilly Elegy" author J.D. Vance.
"This race was never about fulfilling a personal ambition, but rather about serving the Country that gave me every opportunity to succeed. Joe Biden is the result of socialist policies infiltrating our institutions and the Senate is the stopgap to prevent Washington, DC from spiraling out of control. We must regain control of the United States Senate and eliminate the possibility of career DC politicians like Tim Ryan from representing Ohio. Therefore, today I am ending my U.S. Senate campaign and will return to the private sector. I will focus my efforts on supporting the candidate that wins President Trump’s endorsement," Moreno added.
Moreno launched his campaign in April of 2021, saying he was "running to stop the socialist agenda, protect the gains made by President Donald J. Trump and protect the American dream."
"Bernie Moreno of Ohio is leaving the race for Senate, but I would like to thank him for his time and effort, and that of his wonderful family," Trump wrote in a statement. "I was very impressed with Bernie who was tough on illegal immigration which, after the Biden disaster at the Border, has become a big issue for all candidates. He has done much for Ohio and loves his State and our great MAGA Movement. His decision will help ensure the MAGA Ticket wins BIG, as it is all over the Country. Thank you, Bernie, for your support and keep fighting!"
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