Ohio Senate Race Tightens as Moreno Challenges Brown
- A recent poll shows Bernie Moreno leading Sherrod Brown by 2 percentage points in Ohio's Senate race.
- 51% of respondents indicated they would vote for Republicans to control the U.S. Senate, compared to 43% for Democrats.
- Political analysts believe Ohio's outcome is crucial for Democrats, while the GOP may not need it to regain control.
A recent poll conducted by RMG Research from September 18-20 among 781 likely voters indicates a tight race in Ohio's Senate election. GOP challenger Bernie Moreno, endorsed by Trump, leads incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown by a narrow margin of 47% to 45%. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. When asked about party preference for controlling the U.S. Senate, 51% favored Republicans, while 43% supported Democrats. Political analysts suggest that Ohio is not essential for the GOP to regain Senate control, with other states like West Virginia and Montana appearing more critical. Larry Sabato from the University of Virginia noted that the GOP could still win the Senate without Ohio, while Allan Lichtman emphasized the importance of Ohio for Democrats to maintain their Senate seats. He identified Ohio, along with Montana and West Virginia, as one of the most vulnerable states for Democrats. The poll results reflect broader sentiments among voters, with economic issues and inflation being top concerns. A significant portion of voters, 79%, consider the economy very important, and 75% cite inflation as a critical issue. This focus on economic matters may influence voter decisions in the upcoming election. As the race progresses, the dynamics in Ohio could shift, especially if other key states like Montana lean Democratic. The outcome in Ohio may ultimately play a pivotal role in determining the balance of power in the Senate, making it a focal point for both parties as they strategize for the upcoming elections.