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The Washington Post has not independently verified the AP report. A lawyer for the candidate provided a statement from Moreno’s former intern to The Associated Press, saying he created the account as “part of a juvenile prank.”
At Saturday’s rally in Vandalia, Ohio, President Trump defended Moreno from attacks purportedly by Democrats.
“Bernie is a great man. He’s being treated very harshly and falsely by the Democratic Party right now, and I know this man and I’m not going to tolerate this,” Trump said. “We all know this guy. He’s a hero, he’s a winner, and we’re not going to forgive these people – these people are sick.”
In addition to attacks within the Republican Party, a prominent Democratic super PAC also spent $2.7 million on ads criticizing Mr. Moreno for being too conservative and aligned with Mr. Trump. Such criticism may actually draw Republican primary voters to Mr. Moreno. And by running ads ahead of the state’s Republican primary, the PAC is likely deploying a strategy Democrats have used in recent years to support the Republican party they see as the candidate most likely to win in the general election. There is a possibility that
Ohio has long been considered a battleground state, but it has moved dramatically to the right in recent years, with Trump handily winning the state in 2016 and 2020. Brown, who is seeking a fourth term, remains the only statewide elected Democrat in the Buckeye State.
Moreno will face Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Ohio State Sen. Matt Dolan in the primary. Political ads by outside groups have become increasingly personal in the final weeks before Tuesday’s Republican primary, as polls show an increasingly close race between candidates. It’s coming.
The pro-Moreno Buckeye Values PAC, which organized Saturday’s Trump rally, released the ad. Last month, he asked Ohioans if they could trust LaRose, who he claimed has been called a “champion for transgender equality.”The ad shows LaRose superimposed in front of a rainbow flag meanwhile She is a family planning advocate and wears a “Trans Equality Now” pin. The group also A campaign email was sent At Ohio State, people ask, “What team does Frank LaRose play for?” and “Is he with us…or with them/them?”
“Desperate campaigns breed desperate measures,” LaRose campaign spokesman Ben Kindel said in a statement. “Desperate campaigns breed desperate measures. Frank is the only veteran conservative in this race who can defeat Sherrod Brown in November.” is.”
Meanwhile, the pro-Dolan Buckeye Leadership Fund launched television and radio ads across the state, calling Moreno “creepy” and “damaged goods,” citing an Associated Press report.
“This ad cites a well-sourced Associated Press article that speaks for itself,” Buckeye Leadership Fund spokesman Chris Pack said. “If there’s anyone who can explain it, it’s the closet liberal Bernie Moreno. Bernie lies so much and has so many skeletons in his closet that he can’t seem to get everything straight.” The ad is part of a $7.4 million ad buy.
Mr. Moreno’s wife, Bridget, criticized Mr. Dolan’s allies for spreading the details of the AP report, saying: statement “It’s disgusting that (Dolan) would stoop so low just because he lost this race. It’s shameful and he should be ashamed.” Bridget Moreno called on Dolan to disavow advertising from “a super PAC funded by his family.”
His family donated $2 million to the PAC in December.
Dolan has the support of two of Ohio’s top Republicans, Gov. Mike DeWine and former Sen. Rob Portman, but Moreno is seen as the most pro-Trump candidate in the race.
Mr. Moreno, an entrepreneur, has worked with South Dakota Governor Kristi L. Noem (R), Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim・He is supported by several allies of Trump, including Jordan (Republican). -Ohio) and Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio).But Larose I wrote to X Prior to the Trump rally, he welcomed President Trump to the state.
“President Trump’s visit is a reminder of America’s strength under President Trump and the devastation we face under President Biden. We welcome President Trump’s visit to Ohio and welcome the president-elect of Ohio’s U.S. Senate. I look forward to working with him as a member of Congress to rebuild our country,” LaRose said in the post.
Marisa Iati in Vandalia, Ohio, contributed to this report.
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