Ohio Senate seat flips as GOP newcomer Moreno topples three-term Democratic incumbent Brown

Republican Bernie Moreno ousted three-term Democratic incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio on Tuesday, securing his party the Senate majority.

Mr. Moreno was leading by 4 points when The Associated Press called the race in his favor.

The Republican newcomer’s win gives the GOP the second flipped seat they need to take control of the upper chamber. Democrats, who currently hold a 51-49 majority, lost the two races they were eyeing as potential pickups to offset any GOP wins. 

Republicans picked up their first Senate flip in West Virginia, where Gov. Jim Justice sailed to victory without a serious challenger. Mr. Justice replaces Sen. Joe Manchin III, a longtime Democrat who switched his party affiliation to independent shortly before announcing he would retire after his current term.

Democrats lost two other long-shot pick up opportunities in Florida, where GOP Sen. Rick Scott beat former Democratic Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, and Texas, where GOP Sen. Ted Cruz warded off Democratic Rep. Colin Allred.

Mr. Moreno, a businessman who owned car dealerships and invested in blockchain technology, will be the first Colombian-born immigrant to serve in the Senate. 

He received a boost from former President Donald Trump, who won Ohio’s 17 electoral votes in the presidential contest. 

In an interview with The Washington Times last month, Mr. Moreno said he wants to restore American manufacturing and energy independence, crack down on illegal immigration and cut federal spending. The 57-year-old has pledged to serve no more than two six-year terms in the Senate. 

The Times interviewed early voters in Ohio last month and many supporting Mr. Moreno cited the need for a change from Mr. Brown, who has spent a combined 32 years serving in both chambers of Congress.

Mr. Brown campaigned on his pro-worker record and unsuccessfully tried to lean into abortion rights as a wedge issue after Ohio voters last year approved a ballot measure, 57% to 43%, enshrining the right to an abortion in the state constitution.