A new poll shows Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio trailing Republican challenger Bernie Moreno.

Mr. Moreno, a businessman, has the support of 48% of likely voters in the state, and Mr. Brown is favored by 46%, according to a Napolitan News survey.

Former president Donald Trump has long coattails for Mr. Moreno to hang on to in the Buckeye State. The poll also showed Mr. Trump leading his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, by 11 points.

“Moreno benefits from the fact that Donald Trump is leading the presidential race in Ohio by 11 points,” the pollster said “This race is a classic test as to whether or not a long-term and popular incumbent can overcome the political gravity of a state.”

The strong challenge to Mr. Brown adds to Republicans’ momentum to take control of the upper chamber, where Democrats hold a two-seat majority.

Republicans also are eyeing pickups in West Virginia and Montana.

The Senate race is closer than the presidential race in Ohio because Mr. Brown is supported by 93% of Ms. Harris’ voters, while Mr. Moreno is supported by 83% of Mr. Trump’s voters, according to the poll.

Ohio was once considered a battleground state but, in recent election cycles, has become more reliably Republican. However, during this political transition toward Republicans, Mr. Brown, who was first elected to the Senate in 2006 when he defeated Republican Mike DeWine, has hung on to the Senate seat. Mr. DeWine nevertheless made a comeback when he was elected governor of the state in 2022.

In 2012, Mr. Brown won his reelection against Republican Josh Mandel by a 14% margin and won his last reelection in 2018 against then-Republican Rep. Jim Renacci by a 7% margin.

The Cook Political Report, a non-partisan analysis of elections and campaigns, rates the Ohio Senate race as a toss-up.

In the final weeks, both sides are spending hundreds of millions of dollars on political ads. The GOP, according to AdImpact, is on its way to outspend Democrats in Ohio, with $220.3 million for Republicans compared to $175.9 million for Democrats.

Napolitan surveyed 781 likely Ohio voters between September 18-20. The poll had a margin of error of +/- 3.5.

• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.