Trumbull GOP infighting roars on

April 5, 2024

Trumbull County Republicans are likely to do well on the Nov. 5 ballot in spite of the infighting among those involved in the party. The party has had several internal arguments that led to the ouster of one chairman and the resignations of two others, including one after publicly criticizing several party officials for quitting. In February, an effort by some party officials to change bylaws — including having endorsements, permitting sanctions and requiring annual dues — was squashed by vocal objectors. The latest chapter in the party battle focuses on a political action ...

Could the Valley abandon Sherrod Brown?

March 29, 2024

Sherrod Brown, considered one of the most vulnerable U.S. Senate Democratic incumbents, has enjoyed widespread popularity for years in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. But he may not get the needed support from the two counties, both former Democratic strongholds, in the Nov. 5 general election as he faces Bernie Moreno, the Republican nominee backed by former President Donald Trump. And Trump, who has won Ohio twice, will be at the top of the Republican ticket in the general election making it that much harder for Brown to get reelected. Since Brown beat then-incumbent Mike DeWine in ...

Some surprising margins of victory

March 22, 2024

While there weren’t any major shocks with the primary election results, the margins of victory for some were surprising. With the Republican Senate Campaign Committee bankrolling and essentially running the reelection campaign of state Sen. Sandra O’Brien of Lenox, her victory over ...

Old guard vs. Trump in Ohio

March 15, 2024

The Republican primary for the U.S. Senate is a battle between old-guard Republicans and Donald Trump, who will be the party’s presidential nominee for the third consecutive time, and his many supporters. The old guard, led by Gov. Mike DeWine and former U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, support state Sen. Matt Dolan. Dolan has given $10 million of his personal wealth to his campaign and has struggled to raise money from donors. Trump and his supporters have endorsed Bernie Moreno, a former luxury car dealer and blockchain business owner. Moreno has given $4.2 million out of his pocket to ...

State Republicans back O’Brien in race against Loychik

March 8, 2024

Ohio Republican leaders are going all out to help state Sen. Sandra O’Brien turn back the challenge of state Rep. Mike Loychik in the GOP primary. The Republican Senate Campaign Committee gave $254,616 to O’Brien’s campaign between Feb. 7 and Feb. 23 in in-kind contributions for ...

Moreno’s business dealings targeted

March 1, 2024

During the campaign for the Republican nomination for U.S. senator, Bernie Moreno has touted his record of creating jobs and his business success. But there are numerous reports that put his business dealings as a luxury car dealer and blockchain business owner in question. Moreno settled numerous wage theft lawsuits after a jury in Massachusetts ordered him to pay more than $400,000 to two former employees for failing to pay overtime in violation of state labor laws. Moreno admitted in a deposition to shredding documents containing information that was potentially relevant to the ...