COLUMBIA STATION, Ohio — *EDITOR'S NOTE: The video in the player above originally aired when Moreno launched his candidacy
Ohio U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno will be in Lorain County next week for a campaign stop, and he will be joined by one of the most prominent figures from former President Donald Trump's administration.
Kellyanne Conway will be with Moreno for a meet-and-greet June 15 in Columbia Station. It will be the first time the former senior counselor to the president has appeared with the Cleveland businessman since the former was named a senior adviser to the latter's bid for the Republican Senate nomination.
Conway released the following statement:
"I look forward to traveling Ohio with the state's next Senator, Bernie Moreno. His story of legally immigrating to the United States from South America, starting and growing a successful business in the Buckeye State is the embodiment of the American Dream. This campaign is fighting to ensure that opportunity for success is still alive for the people of Ohio and people across the country. Join me and Bernie in Columbia Station on Tuesday (6/15) for pop and politics."
With four major candidates having already entered the GOP race, the primary has quickly devolved into a test of loyalty to Trump, despite his 2020 election loss and subsequent impeachment for allegedly inciting the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot (he was acquitted by the Senate). NBC News reports Moreno once called Trump a "maniac" and a "lunatic" in emails prior to the 2016 Republican National Convention, but has since publicly lauded the "victories" of the former president's term, particularly on the economy and immigration. Unlike some of his GOP opponents, however, Moreno does not believe last fall's election was "stolen" from Trump.
Conway became the first woman to manage a successful presidential campaign with Trump's 2016 win, and it landed her a visible White House role over most of the next four years. During her tenure, she gained the favor of the president for her loyalty, but also endured a great deal of controversy for multiple false statements to reporters as well as a litany of alleged Hatch Act violations.
The Moreno-Conway event is scheduled for noon next Tuesday. Location details will be announced roughly 24 hours prior, and those wishing to attend can register here.