Former President Donald Trump visited Vandalia, Ohio, on Saturday, March 16, 2024, throwing his support behind businessman Bernie Moreno in a critical appearance ahead of Tuesday’s GOP Senate primary.
Trump’s endorsement is pivotal for Moreno, competing against state Senator Matt Dolan and Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown in the upcoming U.S. Senate race.
During the rally, Trump focused on a range of topics, with illegal immigration and border security taking center stage. He blamed President Joe Biden’s policies for what he described as a surge in illegal migrants and violent crime, invoking the death of Laken Riley, a University of Georgia nursing student, to underline his points. Trump pledged to reverse Biden’s border policies and emphasized his commitment to securing the border and enforcing immigration laws.
He accused Biden of incompetence and using federal agencies to target political opponents, including himself. He also warned that “if I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath for the whole—that’s going to be the least of it. It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country.” The comment came as the former president highlighted the adverse effects of offshoring on the nation’s automobile industry and discussed his intentions to impose higher tariffs on cars manufactured abroad.
Trump criticized Biden’s recent apology for using the term “illegal” to describe Riley’s alleged killer, arguing that the administration’s approach to immigration is too lenient. He also targeted members of the MS-13 gang, expressing strong views on the threat they pose to American communities.
The former president did not miss the opportunity to criticize Ohio Senator Brown, labeling him a “radical left Democrat” and accusing him of misrepresenting his political alignment to Ohio voters. Trump’s speech aimed to rally support for Moreno, whom he praised as an “America first champion” and a “political outsider,” urging Ohioans to elect him over Brown in the November elections.
The rally, hosted by Buckeye Values PAC, saw Trump delivering a charged speech, intertwining campaign messages with broader criticisms of the Biden administration’s policies, especially on economic issues and Social Security, which he claimed posed a significant threat to democracy.
The rally highlighted Trump’s priorities for his potential return to office, focusing on border security, economic policies to combat inflation, energy independence through drilling, and efforts to prevent global conflict. Trump’s support for Moreno is part of a larger strategy to regain Republican control of the Senate, with the GOP aiming to capitalize on a favorable electoral map in 2024.
Moreno, who immigrated legally to the U.S. from Colombia and became a successful businessman in Cleveland, has garnered attention in a state that has shifted increasingly toward the Republican Party in recent years. His campaign has emphasized his business background and alignment with Trump’s policies, particularly on issues like immigration and economic development.
The Ohio Senate race is critical for both parties, with Democrats defending a narrow majority in the Senate. The outcome of the GOP primary and the subsequent general election will have significant implications for the balance of power in Congress and the ability of the Biden administration to advance its legislative agenda.
