Ohio Republican Bernie Moreno is running a new ad hitting 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 from Versailles, Ohio, expressing her struggles with the current high prices for groceries and blaming Brown for making things worse. Moreno’s campaign is emphasizing his commitment to lowering prices and stopping inflation to help Ohio families. The ad was paid for by Bernie Moreno for Senate and the National Republican Senatorial Committee as part of an additional $25 million in spending, with early voting in Ohio starting on October 8.
The Ohio Senate race between Moreno and Brown is shaping up to be the most expensive this cycle, with a total of $310.4 million in spending from both campaigns as of August. Moreno has spent $158.4 million while Brown has spent $152 million. Brown’s campaign recently announced raising nearly $31 million in the third quarter. Fox News has labeled the race as a toss-up, highlighting the intense competition between the two candidates. The NRA has also targeted Brown in a 7-figure ad buy, urging voters to “vote like your life depends on it.” Ohio is a key battleground state in the presidential ticket this cycle, with Sen. JD Vance as former President Trump’s vice presidential running mate.
In August 2023, Brown championed the Inflation Reduction Act as a key legislation that included his fought-for priorities to save Ohioans money, crackdown on Wall Street stock buybacks, and attract investment and good-paying jobs to Ohio. The act was signed into law by President Biden a year prior, and Brown highlighted its benefits in saving money at the pharmacy counter and spurring Ohio to lead in manufacturing technology. As of August 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 2.6% rise in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers in the Midwest, including Ohio, over the past 12 months. Food prices increased by 1.8% while energy prices declined by 2.6%.
Moreno’s campaign is focusing on painting Brown as responsible for the high inflation and prices that are impacting Ohio families. The ad featuring a single mother expressing her struggles with grocery prices serves to highlight Moreno’s commitment to fighting inflation and lowering costs for Ohioans. The intense competition between the two candidates in what is poised to be the most expensive Senate race this cycle underscores the importance of the outcome of the election for both parties. With early voting in Ohio set to begin in October, the campaigns are intensifying their efforts to appeal to voters and secure their support. Brown’s campaign, on the other hand, is touting the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act in saving money and creating jobs in Ohio, emphasizing the positive impact of the legislation for the state.
