COLUMBUS, Ohio — A casual remark regarding reproductive rights by Republican Bernie Moreno in the highly competitive Ohio Senate race has shifted the focus to abortion, a topic that has now taken center stage in this year’s most costly Senate campaign. This is the precise situation that Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown aimed to create.

Moreno maintains that his controversial comment, which was captured on cellphone video, was meant as a joke. The footage shows him critiquing women whose voting preferences are influenced by their attitudes toward abortion. During a town hall event in Warren County on September 20, he stated, “Sadly, by the way, there are a lot of suburban women, many of whom are thinking, ‘Listen, abortion is the only issue.’ If they feel they can’t have an abortion whenever they want in this country, they will cast their votes for anyone else.’ I find that a bit concerning, especially considering many of these women are over 50; I question the relevance of that issue for them.”

Brown and his team quickly seized upon Moreno’s statement, seeing it as a critical opportunity in his campaign for a fourth term in a state generally leaning Republican. One woman featured in a television ad questioned how a 57-year-old man, like Moreno, could seek a Senate position when he believes women over 50 should not feel strongly about abortion.

Even Republican figures, such as former presidential candidate Nikki Haley, criticized Moreno for what she termed as being “#ToneDeaf,” quipping, “Are you trying to lose the election? Just checking.” Meanwhile, Brown has prioritized abortion access in his campaign, a focus that diverts attention from issues like the economy and immigration, which Moreno and his party hope to highlight.

Throughout the election cycle, Brown has emphasized his support for an amendment passed last year in Ohio that protects the right to make individual reproductive choices—a decision widely favored by the electorate. Since the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, Democrats are relying on the abortion dialogue to attract votes in this pivotal election.

“Ohioans believe in the ability of women to make their own health decisions. On the contrary, Bernie Moreno seems to think he should dictate what women can and cannot decide,” Brown stated. He further expressed his deep concern for women’s health care rights, noting that this issue matters for his daughters, granddaughters, and all women in Ohio, irrespective of their age.

Republicans are eager to unseat Brown, which is a crucial goal for the party. With Democrats defending a greater number of Senate seats than Republicans, a setback in Ohio could threaten their slim majority.

The financial stakes in this Senate battle are substantial, with preliminary ad expenditures exceeding $400 million as of early October. This not only makes it the most expensive Senate race in the nation but also accounts for a competitive Republican primary earlier in the year. In the general election phase, data indicates that Republicans have significantly outspent Democrats in the Brown-Moreno contest, with Republicans reporting approximately $188.4 million in ad costs compared to the $159.7 million spent by Democrats. For the period leading up to November 5, an additional $68.5 million in ads has already been reserved by both parties and their affiliates.

Moreno, a wealthy businessman from Cleveland backed by Donald Trump, showed resilience following the uproar surrounding his comments about abortion. His campaign asserted that the remarks were made in jest and contended that it was Brown and the Democrats who were disrespecting women.

“Bernie’s stance is that women voters care about the economy, rising crime rates, and border security just as much as their male counterparts. It is disheartening to see Democrats and media outlets portray women as single-issue voters on abortion alone,” said Reagan McCarthy, a spokesperson for Moreno.

Reasons for optimism abound among Ohio Republicans who see the state leaning further to the right. After voting overwhelmingly for Trump in the past two elections, Moreno’s candidacy is bolstered by Trump’s prominent endorsement. This support has proved pivotal in Ohio races, previously aiding both first-term Senator JD Vance and GOP state Rep. Derek Merrin, who has emerged as a challenger to veteran Democratic Congressman Marcy Kaptur.

Republicans have targeted Brown’s voting history, accusing him of backing policies that favor transgender participation in women’s sports and supporting federal benefits for undocumented immigrants. However, such claims are often oversimplified or misconstrued, with Brown countering that his votes were based on broader principles rather than specific endorsements of the controversies being claimed.

Despite ongoing attacks, Brown’s campaign has emphasized its strong reputation, financial backing, and strategic communications advantage in this race. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has noted that Moreno is swiftly closing the gap with Brown, despite the relentless advertisements portraying baseless accusations against him.

Many of the funding efforts have originated from outside groups, with an overwhelming portion of Moreno’s financial support—nearly all but $1.9 million—coming from these external entities. In comparison, Brown has succeeded in raising an impressive $51 million for his campaign, while Moreno has amassed $15.3 million, which includes a hefty personal loan of $4.5 million to his own efforts.

As Republicans continue to draw parallels between Brown and the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies, this issue remains a significant vulnerability for the Democrats. Moreno has not hesitated to criticize Brown and Harris by labeling the influx of Haitians as a failure of federal governance.

In response to the unsettling situation in Springfield, Ohio, Brown attributed responsibility to “people playing politics” rather than focusing on the more substantial claims of the federal administration’s failings. Simultaneously, Moreno has dealt with other controversies, including a report regarding an adult website profile purportedly linked to him, which his lawyer clarified was created as a prank by a former intern. Despite this incident, Moreno has retained Trump’s endorsement and continued to gain visibility within the Republican Party.