More than 1,200 Ohio women have slammed Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bernie Moreno over his recent comments dismissing their concerns about abortion rights, labeling him “unfit” to represent them. The bipartisan group issued a scathing open letter after Moreno described women over 50 as “a little crazy” for caring about abortion access, igniting widespread backlash.
During a September campaign event, Moreno, who is challenging Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown, downplayed women’s concerns about reproductive rights, stating, “There’s a lot of suburban women that are like, ‘Listen, abortion is it. If I can’t have an abortion in this country whenever I want, I will vote for anybody else.’ It’s a little crazy, by the way, but—especially for women that are like past 50—I’m thinking to myself, ‘I don’t think that’s an issue for you.’”
In their letter, women from across Ohio’s political spectrum condemned Moreno for his “mocking” and “demeaning” comments. “What unites us is the firm belief that Ohio women should have the ability to make their own healthcare choices, free from the involvement of people like you,” the letter read. It further criticized Moreno’s support for an abortion ban without exceptions, stating he cannot be trusted to advocate for Ohio women.
Republican voters, including several who signed the letter, expressed outrage. “I was insulted,” said Jenny Conrad, a 72-year-old Republican from Mt. Orab. “Even though I may be out of age, so to speak, my daughters and sisters are not. I care about their right to make their own health care decisions.”
Another signatory, Penny Schmitthenner of Delaware, Ohio, echoed that sentiment, adding that she plans to vote for Brown. “Bernie Moreno is totally out of touch with Ohio voters,” she said.
Moreno, a prominent figure in the GOP race, has been a vocal advocate of Ohio’s controversial “heartbeat bill,” which bans most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, with no exceptions for rape or incest. This legislation was a significant point of contention until it was overturned by a constitutional amendment approved by Ohio voters last year.
Despite this clear voter mandate, Moreno has continued to champion restrictive abortion laws. On January 13, 2022, during an interview on Cincinnati’s 55WKRC radio, Moreno declared, “Absolute pro-life, no exceptions,” positioning himself as a firm proponent of restrictive abortion policies.
In recent campaign appearances, Moreno has further emphasized his anti-abortion stance. Speaking to Dayton Republicans on March 10, 2024, Moreno criticized fellow GOP candidate Ohio Sen. Matt Dolan for his 2019 vote against the heartbeat bill. Moreno’s remarks highlighted his commitment to a strict anti-abortion agenda, distinguishing himself from other candidates.
Moreno’s support extends beyond state legislation. He has endorsed a national abortion ban that would counter Ohio’s voter-approved protections. Last month, he reiterated his support for a federal ban on multiple occasions, prompting concerns among reproductive rights advocates.
Abortion remains a key issue in Ohio politics after voters decisively passed a measure last year to restore abortion rights in the state. Moreno, however, has repeatedly downplayed its importance, at times offering controversial remarks. In February, he suggested that abortion rights were unnecessary because women just need help carrying heavy strollers. He also falsely claimed that last year’s abortion rights victory was due to cheating.
Neither Moreno’s campaign nor the Ohio GOP responded to requests for comment on the letter.
Read the letter below:
