Incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown lost his re-election bid on Nov. 5, flipping a vital senate seat that had been held by the Democratic Party since 2007.
Bernie Moreno, a naturalized U.S. citizen, defeated the incumbent senator with 50.2% of the vote in a tight race that saw some of the highest spending of any senate election this year.
“I’m just excited that the political ads are gonna be done,” said Courtney Pittman, a junior music technology major. “I feel like it didn’t surprise me of what the outcome was.”
According to the non-profit organization Open Secrets, Brown’s campaign raised roughly $89,090,741, whereas Moreno’s raised $24,100,960.
This does not take into account outside spending, which Open Secrets defines as “political expenditures made by groups or individuals independently of, and not coordinated with, candidates’ committees. Groups in this category range from conventional party committees to the more controversial super PACs and 501(c) ‘dark money’ organizations.”
Outside spending contributed at least $295,134,386 across both campaigns, according to Open Secrets.
Moreno, who was endorsed by now president-elect Donald Trump, ran on a platform of 16 issues he hopes to prioritize in office. These include ending socialism in America, restoring energy independence and enacting term limits on members of Congress.
Brown’s re-election campaign highlighted the incumbent senator’s legislative achievements, including the passage of the PACT Act, which expanded VA health care for veterans exposed to toxic substances, as well as the INTERDICT Act, a measure that expanded screening measures for fentanyl and related substances at the border, which was signed into law by President Trump in 2018.
In a press call delivered shortly after his victory was announced, Moreno elaborated on his stances on key issues.
Regarding immigration, the senator-elect said, “We are gonna advance an agenda that is an American agenda. An agenda that says we are pro-immigration but not pro-invasion. We’re gonna make certain that the people who come to this country are invited here, like I was, like my family was, on our terms.”
The senator-elect also emphasized his strong support for American energy independence.
Moreno said, “We’re gonna make this country an energy-dominant nation, so that my kids do not grow up in a country where we ever rely on a foreign nation for energy ever, ever again.”
In his concession speech, Brown said, “We may be tempted to say hope was not enough. We might be tempted to second-guess ourselves and question whether we worked hard enough, or long enough…. We believe that all work has dignity, we always will. We believe in the power of people over corporate special interests, we always will…. This is a disappointment, but is not a failure.”
Brown, who was endorsed by the United Auto Workers, also spoke at length about his relationship with unions. He emphasized labor’s role in mitigating child labor and implementing an 8-hour work day.
In his closing remarks, Brown said to his supporters, “Tonight, nothing changes…. I’m not giving up on our fight for workers and I know you won’t either. Thank you.”
Moreno will assume the office of senator when the 119th Congress convenes on Jan. 3, 2025.
