(The Center Square) – Republican political newcomer and Cleveland car dealer Bernie Moreno ended Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown’s nearly two decades in the Senate on Tuesday in the nation’s most expensive Senate race in history.
The two campaigns spent nearly $500 million ahead of Moreno’s 50.8%-45.9% win, called by both NBC News and Fox News at nearly 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, with 86% of the vote reported in the state.
“We’re tired of leaders that think we’re garbage and we’re tired of being treated like garbage,” Moreno told supporters Tuesday night. “What we’re going to do, thanks to now having a Republican majority in the United States Senate, and Chuck Schumer if you’re watching, thanks for the help in the primary, but you’re fired, buddy, it’s a new dawn for Republican politics. The weakness of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris is rejected. American strength will ensure peace around the world.”
Moreno also said the country needs school choice for all Americans, and teachers need to be empowered to teach children.
Moreno’s win tipped the balance of power in the Senate from Democrat to Republican despite results from other key Senate races still undecided in Wisconsin and Michigan.
The Columbian-born Moreno, backed by former President Donald Trump, had consistently trimmed Brown’s lead in the polls over the past couple of months, closing to within 2 points just a week ago.
Brown served three terms and was the only Democrat holding statewide office.
Pending the outcome of the presidential race, Moreno would join Sen. J.D. Vance as representatives for Ohio. Vance is the vice president pick on the ticket of Donald Trump.
If Trump wins, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine will appoint someone to fill the seat, likely for two years before a special election would be required. Then, the traditional election will take place in 2028.
Heading into Tuesday, Democrats held a 51-49 majority in the Senate, but an easy win in West Virginia for former Republican Gov. Jim Justice pulled the GOP even before Moreno’s win gave Republicans the majority.