Club for Growth backs Bernie Moreno in crowded Ohio Senate primary

The Club for Growth is endorsing Bernie Moreno in Ohio's contested Senate GOP primary.

Moreno, a former car dealer, is in a heated three-way contest with state Sen. Matt Dolan and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose — but he seems to have the momentum. Former President Donald Trump backed him last month, an endorsement for which both he and LaRose were jockeying.

The Club, an influential anti-tax group, typically does not endorse unless its super PAC plans to spend so Moreno could soon get some help on the air ahead of the March primary. The group’s decision to endorse is a little surprising. The Club seemed unlikely to weigh in on the race after its preferred recruit decided not to run last year. The incumbent, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), is a top GOP target this cycle.

In a statement shared first with POLITICO, the Club touted Moreno’s business experience and his support for Blockchain technology. It also noted he had been endorsed by Trump.

“His perspective will be a welcome addition to the United States Senate, and we look forward to doing whatever it takes to ensure he wins the race.” Club President David McIntosh said in a statement shared first with POLITICO.

The move is another blow for LaRose, who tried to persuade Trump to back him. LaRose, a former state senator and Army veteran, who entered the race in July, has been desperately trying to keep pace with his two wealthy opponents. Both Dolan, a scion of the family who owns the Cleveland Guardians baseball team, and Moreno have been able to self-fund.

Moreno has already spent roughly $4 million on TV ads, according to AdImpact, a media tracking service. Dolan has spent $1.7 million. LaRose has not yet gone on air.

The Club’s decision to weigh into the race is somewhat surprising. Last year, the group tried to recruit Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) to run but he declined.

McIntosh had previously told reporters in a July 2023 briefing that none of the three major candidates in the race struck him as “a champion for pro-growth policies” and he sounded particularly sour on Dolan who he said was “pretty leftist on a lot of his positions.”

“I don't think we make an endorsement there,” he said at the time, though he promised the group would continue to look at the race.