Bernie Moreno

Bernie Moreno
Official portrait, 2025
Bernie Moreno
Born	Bernardo Moreno 2/14/1967
Birthplace	Bogotá, Colombia
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Title	United States Senator from Ohio
Known for	Senior U.S. Senator from Ohio; automobile dealership executive; blockchain entrepreneur
Education	University of Michigan (BBA)
Spouse(s)	Bridget Moreno
Children	4
Website	http://berniemoreno.com/

Bernardo "Bernie" Moreno (born February 14, 1967) is an American politician and businessman now serving as the senior United States senator from Ohio. He's a Republican who beat three-term Democrat Sherrod Brown in the 2024 Senate election, one of that year's most watched races. Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Moreno came to the U.S. as a kid and grew up in Florida before heading to the University of Michigan. He spent years running car dealerships across the Greater Cleveland area, then shifted into blockchain ventures. In 2022, he first ran for the Republican Senate nomination but dropped out before voters cast their ballots. He came back in 2023 with backing from former president Donald Trump. After taking office on January 3, 2025, he became Ohio's junior senator. Just ten days later, JD Vance stepped down to become Vice President, and Moreno moved up to senior senator. He's Ohio's first Hispanic American senator and one of only two Colombian American U.S. senators in history, sharing that distinction with Ruben Gallego of Arizona.

Early Life

Moreno was born February 14, 1967, in Bogotá, Colombia. His family made the move to the United States when he was young, settling in Florida. That immigration journey would become central to his political story. As a Colombian immigrant turned naturalized citizen, he regularly brought it up during campaigns and public appearances.

Growing up in Florida shaped his early years. His parents' work and why they left Colombia haven't been well documented in news reports, though his campaign materials touched on both. What's clear is that the family settled stateside during his childhood and spoke Spanish at home before he became fluent in English.

This American upbringing pointed toward what he'd eventually pursue: business and entrepreneurship. Education in Michigan came next, and that move would connect him to the Midwest where he'd later build his dealership operation and launch his political ambitions.

Education

Moreno earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from the University of Michigan. The degree gave him training in business management and finance, skills he'd put to work in car dealerships and tech startups. His time in Michigan also meant he had roots in the Midwest long before relocating to Ohio in 2005 to build his business in the Cleveland area.

Career

Automobile Dealership Business

After finishing his degree, Moreno dove into the auto industry. Moving to Ohio in 2005, he built a major presence in car dealerships across Greater Cleveland.

His dealerships focused on luxury and high-end vehicles. By 2011, his luxury car sales were booming, pulling in buyers from across the region. The auto industry took notice. By 2014, he was dubbed a "super car dealer" in Cleveland business circles.

He also earned respect for how he approached customer service and dealership operations. Automotive trade publications including CBT News profiled his work rethinking the car-buying experience.

Things shifted in 2019. He sold seven franchises in North Olmsted, Ohio, signaling a move away from traditional dealerships toward technology and blockchain.

A lawsuit emerged during his dealership years. Massachusetts authorities filed a case involving allegations that an employee at one of his businesses shredded documents. Business Insider reported on it in January 2024 while he was running for Senate.

Blockchain and Technology Ventures

By the late 2010s, Moreno's interests had moved firmly into blockchain technology. The 2019 sale of those North Olmsted franchises was specifically tied to this change. News outlets at the time reported that he wanted to concentrate on blockchain ventures. Positioning himself as a tech entrepreneur rather than just a car guy became part of his campaign story later on.

Civic Engagement

Before running for office, Moreno got involved in local civic life. In October 2019, he was approved as a trustee for MetroHealth System, the public health system serving Cuyahoga County. The appointment showed his growing standing in Cleveland and hinted at his future interest in public service.

2022 Senate Campaign

In April 2021, Moreno announced he'd run for the U.S. Senate seat Rob Portman was leaving. He pitched himself as a political outsider with serious business experience. Republican donors in Ohio were his targets, along with the party's conservative base.

There was a problem though. NBC News found that despite running as Trump's best friend, Moreno had once called Trump divisive. That wasn't great for someone claiming to be Trump's biggest Ohio cheerleader.

In February 2022, he dropped out before the primary vote. JD Vance won that seat instead and became Ohio's junior senator. He'd later become vice president in 2024.

2024 Senate Campaign

In 2023, Moreno jumped back into the race. This time he'd target Democrat Sherrod Brown, a three-term senator many viewed as vulnerable in that cycle.

The Republican primary had several candidates battling it out. At their first forum in October 2023, they clashed over foreign policy.

December 2023 brought a major turn. Former president Donald Trump endorsed Moreno for the seat. In Ohio, where Trump's hold over Republican voters was rock solid, this mattered enormously. Senator JD Vance also backed him publicly, telling Ohio Republicans to "send me reinforcements" to the Senate.

The National Border Patrol Council, the union representing U.S. Border Patrol agents, also endorsed him during the primary. That showed his emphasis on immigration was resonating with groups that cared about border issues.

Abortion as a Campaign Issue

Abortion became huge in the 2024 race. Ohio voters had approved a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights in November 2023, making it a live issue for Republican candidates. His stance drew fire from critics who said his positions contradicted what Ohio voters had just chosen at the ballot box.

General Election Victory

Moreno won big in November 2024. He beat Sherrod Brown, ending Brown's 18 years in the Senate. A three-term Democrat losing in Ohio fit the broader Republican drift the state had been experiencing. He took office January 3, 2025, starting as junior senator. Ten days later, JD Vance left to become Vice President on January 20, and Moreno moved up to senior senator.

U.S. Senate Tenure

Once in office, Moreno got busy on several fronts. In January 2026, he was involved in bipartisan talks about Affordable Care Act subsidies that had expired. Republicans would make their "best and final" offer, he announced, after weeks of negotiations. Politico called him part of "an unlikely new generation of Senate dealmakers" for being willing to work across party lines on healthcare. He framed the subsidies as "putting America first."

Immigration remained his signature issue. Late January 2026 found him doubling down on hardline rhetoric about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. That city of fewer than 60,000 residents had about 15,000 Haitians. Moreno said they "should have self-deported already."

In February 2026, he introduced a bill that would block welfare recipients from sending money overseas, with fines for violators. "Abuse ends now," he stated, framing it as a crackdown on system abuse.

He also made waves in February 2026. The Supreme Court ruled Trump's tariffs unconstitutional. Rather than accept that ruling, Moreno attacked the court instead. Editorial writers and Ohio constituents criticized him for putting Trump ahead of the Constitution.

On national security matters, he's pushed for Mexico to request U.S. military help against drug cartels. Violence in several Mexican areas had escalated in early 2026, making it a timely proposal.

The SAVE Act also connects to his work. This voting bill requires proof of citizenship for registration. Critics at Cleveland.com warned it'd hurt married women who changed their names and couldn't easily document their identity.

Personal Life

He's married to Bridget Moreno. They have four children together and live in Ohio, where Moreno settled back in 2005 to build his dealership business near Cleveland.

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Moreno immigrated as a child and became a naturalized American citizen. His Colombian background shapes his public identity. He became Ohio's first Hispanic American senator and one of only two Colombian American U.S. senators in the nation, the other being Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona.

Recognition

The 2024 Senate race drew national coverage. A three-term incumbent falling in a state trending Republican was huge news, and Moreno's victory counted as one of the election cycle's most important results. Multiple outlets highlighted his historic status as Ohio's first Hispanic American senator.

During his dealership years, the Cleveland business community and automotive publications profiled him regularly as his empire grew. His 2019 appointment to the MetroHealth board showed his position in Greater Cleveland civic circles before he ran for office.

Trump's endorsement in his 2024 campaign got major national attention, given Trump's sway over Republican primary voters, especially in Ohio. The Border Patrol union's backing also raised his national profile on immigration enforcement.

His early Senate work on ACA negotiations earned him notice in Politico, which highlighted him as an emerging dealmaker. Not bad for a freshman senator trying to find his footing.