What to know about Ohio Senate race between Sherrod Brown, Bernie Moreno

The race between Brown and Moreno is now the most expensive Senate race in the country and could end up being the costliest non-presidential contest on record

The biggest race on Ohio’s Nov. 5 ballot is that between Sen. Sherrod Brown and businessman Bernie Moreno.

Here’s what you need to know about the candidates and issues.

Who is Sherrod Brown?

Brown, a Democrat, was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006 after defeating then-Sen. Mike DeWine.

The senator presents himself as a fighter for the working class and focuses on issues such as trade, pensions and health care costs. He’s one of few Ohio Democrats to win recent elections, which supporters attribute to effective retail politics and his ability to reach independents and some Republicans.

Brown’s critics say he’s too liberal to represent a state that went for former president Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020.

Read more here.

Who is Bernie Moreno?

Moreno, a Republican, built a chain of luxury car dealerships based in the Cleveland area before pivoting to the blockchain business. He defeated Secretary of State Frank LaRose and state Sen. Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls, in the March GOP primary with Trump’s support.

As a child, Moreno immigrated with his family from Colombia to the United States − a story he often recounts when discussing border security.

Throughout the campaign, Brown and his allies have criticized Moreno’s business practices and highlighted lawsuits that accused him of not paying overtime to employees.

Read more here.

Ohio at center of fight for Senate control

Brown is one of the most vulnerable Democrats on the ballot − second only to Montana Sen. Jon Tester − and the outcome in Ohio could determine which party controls a divided U.S. Senate. Hence the onslaught of ads you see on television.

Why does Senate control matter? It can impact who is appointed to federal courts and agencies, what kind of legislation gets passed and whether the party that wins the White House can advance its agenda.

Read more here.

What do Sherrod Brown and Bernie Moreno say about the economy, immigration?

The campaigns provided responses to questions about key issues in the race, including the economy, immigration and climate. Brown and Moreno declined to be interviewed.

Read more here.

Where do Sherrod Brown and Bernie Moreno stand on abortion?

Brown backs efforts to protect access to abortion, fertility treatments and birth control. He’s made abortion a central issue in the race after Ohioans voted last year to guarantee the right to reproductive health care.

Moreno previously advocated for a 15-week federal abortion ban and said he still supports that policy on a personal level. But as Republicans try to walk back their support for strict abortion bans, Moreno has said abortion should be regulated by states and called for better access to contraception, health care and adoption services.

Moreno also faced backlash for mocking older suburban women who prioritize abortion rights at the ballot box.

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How expensive is Ohio’s Senate race?

Republicans and Democrats have spent or reserved $441 million in the race between Brown and Moreno, according to the political ad-tracking firm AdImpact. It’s now the most expensive Senate race in the country and could end up being the costliest non-presidential contest on record.

One of the biggest spenders in the race is Defend American Jobs, a pro-cryptocurrency group that supports Moreno.

Other prominent ads came from the Mitch McConnell-aligned Senate Leadership Fund, which used transgender health care and athletes to attack Brown. The senator is a staunch supporter of LGBTQ rights, but the ads didn’t paint a full picture of his record on those issues.

Read more here.

Why didn’t Sherrod Brown and Bernie Moreno debate?

The campaigns didn’t agree to any debates ahead of the election, despite receiving an invitation from the Ohio Debate Commission. In past reelection bids, Brown has debated his opponent multiple times.

Read more here.