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In a hotly contested Ohio Senate race, Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown is maintaining a narrow lead over his Republican rival, Bernie Moreno, despite significantly outspending him. This race has become the most expensive Senate contest in the country, with total expenditures reaching a staggering $425,802,726, including outside spending.
According to RealClear Polling averages, Brown holds a slim 1 percentage point advantage, with 47.4% support compared to Moreno’s 46.4%. The financial disparity between the campaigns is stark, with Brown’s team spending $86,050,236, while Moreno’s campaign has invested $21,310,662, as reported by OpenSecrets data from October 16.
Outside spending has played a significant role in this race, with Moreno benefiting from $153,978,150 in external support, slightly surpassing the $136,808,157 spent on Brown’s behalf. This influx of outside money has helped level the playing field despite Brown’s substantial campaign spending advantage.
Recently, Brown has begun distancing himself from some of President Joe Biden’s environmental policies, which he previously supported. The senator was also among a group of Democratic lawmakers who urged Biden to withdraw from the presidential race before the president’s decision to step down and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris on July 21.
Ohio’s political landscape has shown a strong Republican lean in recent presidential elections. Former President Donald Trump secured victories in both 2016 and 2020, increasing his margin from 51% to 53% of the vote. Current polling data from RealClear Polling indicates that Trump maintains a lead in Ohio, with 51.3% support compared to Harris’s 44.4%.
The national picture also favors Trump, albeit by a much narrower margin. RealClear Polling averages show Trump ahead by 0.3 percentage points, with 48.4% support to Harris’s 48.1%.
As this closely watched race continues to unfold, both campaigns are likely to intensify their efforts in the coming weeks. The outcome of this election could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Senate and the direction of national politics.
