Former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) launched his 2026 Senate campaign on Monday, setting up a high-stakes battle for a pivotal Ohio seat against Republican Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), who was appointed to replace Vice President J.D. Vance.

Brown framed his campaign as a fight to restore economic security and dignity for working-class Ohioans. This message anchored his previous Senate tenure and has defined his decadeslong political career.

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Since leaving office after his 2024 loss to Republican Bernie Moreno, Brown has led the Dignity of Work Institute and has served as a visiting fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, maintaining a high profile in Ohio and national Democratic circles. 

His entry reshapes the Senate map for Democrats, giving the party a credible path in a state that has trended Republican in recent cycles. Despite President Donald Trump carrying Ohio by 11 points in 2024, Brown has a proven record of outperforming national Democrats, winning statewide races by building a coalition that includes union members, rural voters, and moderates.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and other top Democrats had courted Brown for months.

Brown’s campaign is already staffing up, and national Democratic groups are expected to pour tens of millions into the race. Sabato’s Crystal Ball, the nonpartisan election handicapper from the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, recently moved the race from “likely Republican” to “leans Republican,” citing the potential for Brown’s entry and the state’s shifting political dynamics. Other national forecasters are closely watching the contest as well.

Husted, the former lieutenant governor, was appointed to the seat in January 2025 by Gov. Mike DeWine. He is expected to lean heavily on his incumbency, strong name recognition, and backing from state and national Republicans, who have signaled they view the race as a top priority to defend.

SHERROD BROWN EYES 2026 SENATE BID, GIVING DEMOCRATS GLIMMER OF HOPE IN OHIO

If Brown wins in 2026, he would face another test two years later, when the seat comes up for a full six-year term, a second high-stakes battle in a state still dominated by Republicans. For now, his possible comeback is giving Democrats something they have lacked in Ohio for years: a plausible path forward.