Bernie Moreno

Bernie Moreno is an American politician and businessman currently serving as the senior United States senator from Ohio. A member of the Republican Party, he began his Senate term on January 3, 2025, after winning the election against Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown in 2024. Moreno is notable for being the first Hispanic American senator from Ohio and one of the first Colombian American senators in the United States.

Early life and career

Bernardo Francisco Moreno Mejía was born on February 14, 1967, in Bogotá, Colombia. At the age of five, his family immigrated to the United States, settling in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Moreno's father, Bernardo Moreno Mejía Sr., was a physician and held significant positions within the Colombian government, while his mother, Marta Mejía Pradilla, worked as a real estate agent. Growing up in a family of nine, Moreno experienced a modest upbringing, initially living in a three-bedroom condominium before moving to a larger four-bedroom house in Pompano Beach.

Moreno became a U.S. citizen at the age of 18, renouncing his Colombian citizenship in the process. He pursued higher education at the University of Michigan, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. An error in his biography during his Senate campaign, which incorrectly stated that he held a Master of Business Administration degree, was attributed to a mistake made by a staff member.

Following his graduation, Moreno began his professional career at General Motors, where he served as an analyst and field consultant for the Saturn Corporation. In the early 1990s, he transitioned to the automotive retail sector, becoming the general manager of a Saturn dealership within The Herb Chambers Companies in Massachusetts.

In 2005, Moreno relocated to Ohio, where he purchased a Mercedes-Benz dealership in North Olmsted, near Cleveland. He later became the president of the Collection Auto Group, a network of car dealerships. By 2016, he had expanded his business to own more than a dozen dealerships primarily located in Ohio. In 2019, he began divesting some of his dealership holdings to focus on a new venture in blockchain technology, establishing a company called Ownum.

Moreno's contributions to the local business community included founding the Sales Center for Excellence at Cleveland State University in 2018. His achievements in business were recognized in 2019 when he was inducted into the Cleveland Business Hall of Fame. Additionally, he served on the board of trustees for the MetroHealth System from October 2019 until his resignation in February 2021, as he shifted his focus toward pursuing public office.

Prior to launching his Senate campaign, Moreno faced legal challenges, including settling multiple wage theft lawsuits and allegations of gender and age discrimination. His campaign responded to these allegations by asserting that the individuals involved supported his candidacy.

Senate tenure

Bernie Moreno's political career began with his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in 2022, when he sought the Republican nomination to succeed the retiring incumbent Rob Portman. However, he withdrew from the race in early February 2022 after discussions with Donald Trump.

In April 2023, Moreno filed paperwork to run for the U.S. Senate again, this time for the 2024 election. His campaign received significant backing from the cryptocurrency industry, which invested over $40 million in support of his candidacy, particularly as his opponent, incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown, was perceived as adversarial to the crypto sector. Moreno won the Republican primary in March 2024, defeating other candidates, and subsequently won the general election against Brown.

Moreno was sworn in as a junior U.S. senator on January 3, 2025. Shortly thereafter, on January 10, 2025, he became Ohio's senior senator when JD Vance resigned to assume the vice presidency. During his early tenure, Moreno was involved in negotiations to delay the closure of the Chillicothe Paper Mill, showcasing his engagement with local economic issues.

Legislative focus and committees

In the 119th Congress, Bernie Moreno has been appointed to several key committees that reflect his interests and areas of focus. He serves on the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, where he is involved in subcommittees addressing housing, transportation, community development, securities, insurance, and investment, as well as digital assets. His role on these committees positions him to influence legislation related to financial markets and housing policy.

Additionally, Moreno is a member of the Committee on the Budget, which plays a crucial role in shaping federal fiscal policy. His involvement in the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation includes participation in subcommittees that focus on telecommunications, media, maritime affairs, and scientific competitiveness, indicating a broad interest in technology and infrastructure.

Moreno also serves on the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, including the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which is tasked with oversight and accountability in government operations. His work on the subcommittee focused on border management, the federal workforce, and regulatory affairs further underscores his engagement with national security and administrative efficiency.

Throughout his Senate tenure, Moreno has navigated various political landscapes and issues, reflecting the complexities of contemporary American governance. His background in business and technology informs his legislative priorities, as he seeks to address the needs of his constituents in Ohio while contributing to national policy discussions.