Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno calls Sherrod Brown a “political cicada” on Breitbart roundtable

On Thursday, Oct. 2, 2026, Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio called Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown a “political cicada,” describing him as “uniquely unlikeable” and “void of all joy” during a Breitbart Fight Club roundtable hosted by editor‑in‑chief Alex Marlow and Washington bureau chief Matthew Boyle.

The remarks came as the two senators discussed Ohio’s upcoming Senate race, in which Brown is seeking to reclaim the seat he lost to Moreno in 2024. Moreno warned that Brown would serve as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s “lapdog,” suggesting the Democrat would follow Schumer’s directives without independent judgment.

“He’s a political cicada,” Moreno said, adding that Brown would do “everything and anything that Chuck Schumer asks him to do.”

Moreno also challenged Brown’s self‑portrayal as a champion of workers, noting that Brown never held a traditional job and began his political career from a dorm room in Connecticut. “Never had a job as a kid, never had a job as an adult. Ran for political office from his dorm room… So this is a guy who’s never worked a day in his life, never gotten his hands dirty,” he asserted.

The senator further accused Brown of inconsistency on policy issues, pointing to a proposed platform to ban insider trading that he claimed had been blocked by Democrats led by Schumer. Moreno suggested that both parties, including Brown, have been suspected of insider trading, highlighting a perceived gap between public statements and private actions.

Brown’s campaign positions on immigration, energy, and government spending were also called into question. According to Moreno, the Democrat’s rhetoric “doesn’t match” his voting record, labeling him “a total and complete fraud.”

Brown is currently running against Republican Jon Husted, who was appointed after JD Vance vacated the seat to become vice president. Moreno warned that the race would be tight and urged Breitbart Fight Club members to support Husted, emphasizing the importance of every vote in what he described as a “tough race.”

The exchange reflects the heightened partisan rhetoric typical of the pre‑midterm season, as candidates and their allies seek to define their opponents for Ohio’s electorate.