Ohio Republican Bernie Moreno is launching a new ad targeting incumbent Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown on his vote for the Inflation Reduction Act as part of a $25 million buy ahead of Election Day. The ad features a single mother expressing her struggles with rising grocery prices and blaming Brown for making things worse by supporting the legislation. Moreno vows to fight inflation and lower prices to help Ohio families. The ad mentions that Brown voted for “Kamala’s Inflation Act,” paid for by Bernie Moreno for Senate and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. This move comes as the most expensive Senate race this cycle, with $310.4 million in spending as of August.
Moreno’s campaign is spending an additional $25 million on ads just 33 days before the election, as early voting in Ohio begins on Oct. 8. Brown’s campaign has raised nearly $31 million in the third quarter and is trying to defend the Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Biden in August 2023. Brown’s campaign touted the legislation for saving Ohioans money at the pharmacy counter and attracting investment and good-paying jobs to Ohio. However, as of August 2024, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers in the Midwest, including Ohio, had risen by 2.6% over the last 12 months, with food prices increasing by 1.8% and energy prices declining by 2.6%.
Fox News has labeled the Senate race between Moreno and Brown as a toss-up. Moreno, who ran against Sen. JD Vance in the 2022 GOP Republican primary for Senate, is now challenging Brown with a promise to lower prices and fight inflation. Brown’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the new ad. The state of Ohio is at the center of attention in the presidential election cycle, with Vance as former President Trump’s vice presidential running mate. Moreno, who supported Trump and Vance, is campaigning to unseat Brown and get the economy back on track amid record-high inflation.
The Ohio Senate race is heating up with both candidates spending millions on ads and campaigning to win over voters. Brown’s support for the Inflation Reduction Act has become a point of contention, with Moreno accusing him of worsening inflation and making it harder for Ohio families to make ends meet. Brown, on the other hand, has defended the legislation as beneficial for Ohioans, citing cost savings and job creation resulting from attracting investments. With early voting starting soon in Ohio, both candidates are ramping up their efforts to secure votes and emerge victorious in what is shaping up to be a closely watched and highly contested race.
