Incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Ohio, is facing a tough challenge from his Republican opponent Bernie Moreno in the upcoming election. Despite Ohio’s history of supporting both Democratic and Republican candidates, recent polling shows Moreno edging out Brown by a narrow margin. Brown not only aims to retain his Senate seat but also to help his party maintain their slim majority in the Senate. The Democrats are already expected to lose a seat in West Virginia, so it is crucial for them to defend their other seats and potentially pick up new ones in conservative-leaning states.
While previous polls have consistently shown Brown in the lead, the most recent polling data from ActiVote reveals Moreno leading by 2.2 percentage points. The survey, conducted from August 16 to September 22, shows Moreno ahead with rural and suburban voters, men, and white voters, while Brown is leading among urban voters, women, and low-income voters. However, with a margin of error of 4.9 percent, Moreno’s lead is still within the survey’s margin of error, indicating a very close race. Both campaigns were reached for comment but have not responded yet.
Other recent polls, such as those from Morning Consult and Emerson College, have shown varying results, with Brown leading by small margins. The Ohio Senate race is currently rated as a “toss-up” by The Cook Political Report, indicating a highly competitive contest. In contrast, Moreno’s running mate, Senator JD Vance, won his Senate election in Ohio by a significant margin in 2022, as did former President Donald Trump in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. Trump also currently leads Vice President Kamala Harris in polling data for Ohio.
With just a few weeks left until the election, both candidates are ramping up their efforts to win over voters and secure their place in the Senate. Brown’s long-time tenure as a senator and track record of advocating for working-class Americans is likely to be a focal point of his campaign, while Moreno’s background as a businessman and promises of conservative policies may appeal to a different set of voters. The outcome of this race could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate and the direction of policy decisions in the coming years. Voters in Ohio will play a critical role in determining the outcome of this closely watched race.
