Win for Trump candidate sets up Senate showdown

Donald Trump-backed candidate Bernie Moreno has won the Republican Ohio primary, setting up a race that could determine which party takes control of the Senate.

Mr Moreno will compete for the seat against incumbent Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown.

It is a victory for Mr Trump who endorsed Mr Moreno in December.

"I want to thank President Trump for all he did for me, for this campaign," Mr Moreno said after his projected win.

He also thanked the former president for his "unwavering support" and for "his love of this country".

Democrats also considered Mr Moreno's victory a win, as they viewed him as a weaker opponent than more traditional Republicans competing in the primary, state Sen. Matt Dolan and Secretary of State Frank LaRose.

Mr Trump came to Ohio in the campaign's final days to help boost Mr Moreno in a tight and expensive Senate race.

The race had remained close for months following Mr Trump's original endorsement of Mr Moreno, with candidates spending millions on advertisements.

In the end, Mr Moreno won roughly 50% of the vote, compared with 32% for Mr Dolan and 16% for Mr LaRose.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Brown said the choice for Ohio voters was "clear".

"Bernie Moreno has spent his career and campaign putting himself first, and would do the same if elected," he said. "I'll always work for Ohio."

A US senator since 2007, Mr Brown faced no challengers in the primary election but he is regarded as one of the most vulnerable Democratic senators.

Democrats currently have a narrow majority in the Senate, with three independent senators voting with them, but face a number of tough contests in November.