Ohio Senate candidate Bernie Moreno suggests reparations for descendants of Union soldiers

Policymakers have long debated whether Black Americans should receive reparations as amends for racial discrimination and the enslavement of their ancestors.

Cleveland businessman Bernie Moreno made a different pitch when he launched his U.S. Senate campaign last week: Compensate the descendants of Union soldiers who died in the Civil War.

"They talk about reparations. Where are the reparations for the people, for the North, who died to save the lives of Black people?" Moreno told supporters at Little Miami Brewing Company in Milford. "I know it’s not politically correct to say that, but you know what, we've got to stop being politically correct."

The USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau obtained an audio recording of the event as Moreno's comments circulated online.

Moreno talks reparations during campaign launch

Moreno is running against state Sen. Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls, for chance to take on U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown in 2024. The two could be joined by other high-profile Republican candidates, such as Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Troy.

Moreno began to build name recognition during a brief run in the 2022 Senate primary, but he dropped out after a private meeting with former President Donald Trump − who's already signaled his support for Moreno. This time around, he's pitching himself as an outsider who would stand up to long-time politicians in Washington.

During his campaign launch in Milford, Moreno applauded America's founders for standing up to the English empire and said the country's history is one to be proud of.

"That same group of people later, white people, died to free Black people," he said. "It's never happened in human history before, but it happened here in America. That’s not talked about in schools very much, is it? They make it sound like America is a racist, broken country. You name a country that did that, that freed slaves, died to do that."

Historians have estimated that 10 million Africans were enslaved throughout U.S. history, including 4 million people who were declared free by the end of the Civil War in 1865. The war's casualties have been debated over the years, but experts generally say about 360,000 Union soldiers died during the conflict.

Just 30% of all U.S. adults believe descendants of slaves should be repaid in some way, according to Pew Research Center. Over three-quarters of Black Americans back reparations, and 85% said the legacy of slavery affects their position in society today.

When asked about Moreno's comments, campaign spokesman Conor McGuinness said the media missed the point.

"Bernie was right when he said political correctness is killing our country, and the crocodile tears from the left expose the Democrat hypocrisy he was referring to in the clip," McGuinness said.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.