Bernie Moreno was born February 14, 1967, in Bogotá, Colombia, and immigrated to the United States at age 5. He became a U.S. citizen at 18, graduated from the University of Michigan, and went on to build a major Midwest luxury auto dealership group that employed over a thousand people.
Running as an outsider and ally of Trump-aligned populism, Moreno defeated longtime Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown in November 2024, flipping Ohio and helping secure a Republican Senate majority. He took office on January 3, 2025, becoming one of the first Colombian-American U.S. Senators.
In Washington, Moreno has focused on border enforcement, reshoring manufacturing, and what he calls “economic patriotism” — pushing U.S.-made production of strategic technologies while criticizing globalist trade policy. He’s also leaned into culture-war messaging, framing Democrats as “elites who forgot working Americans.”
By July 2025 he had joined the Senate GOP Whip Team, boosting his visibility inside leadership despite being a first-term senator. He’s closely watched as a bridge figure between traditional donors and the Trump-style populist base.
Populist Republican
Achievements
- Flipped an Ohio Senate seat in 2024, defeating three-term incumbent Sherrod Brown
- Elevated to the Senate GOP Whip Team in July 2025 despite being a freshman senator
- Vocal advocate for “America First” manufacturing and supply-chain nationalism
- Pushes stricter border policy and aggressive interior enforcement; brands it as “common sense security”
- Publicly credits immigrant-to-entrepreneur story as proof of “legal immigration done right”
Controversies
- Faced lawsuits tied to dealership practices and wage disputes; several matters settled 2015–2017
- Hit by Democrats for shifting rhetoric on abortion, immigration, and Ukraine aid between primary and general
- Criticized for high-dollar fundraisers and ties to wealthy auto and crypto investors while branding himself “blue-collar”
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senate Conservatives Fund | $254,803 | $244,803 | $10,000 |
| Club for Growth | $69,599 | $69,599 | $0 |
| Marshall Goldman Sales & Leasing | $52,800 | $52,800 | $0 |
| National Republican Senatorial Cmte | $52,800 | $0 | $52,800 |
| Goldman Sachs | $46,100 | $46,100 | $0 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individual donors or aligned PACs.
Election History
2024 R +3.6%
Moreno won statewide in November 2024 and was sworn in on January 3, 2025. His victory was considered pivotal to Republicans taking (and holding) control of the U.S. Senate.