Sherrod Brown, the longtime Democratic senator from Ohio, has decided to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026, aiming to reclaim his former seat after being defeated by Republican Bernie Moreno in November 2024. The decision comes just months after the general election, where Moreno secured a significant victory with over 200,000 votes. Brown’s campaign will face off against Jon Husted, the Republican appointed by Governor Mike DeWine to fill the vacancy left by JD Vance’s departure as vice president.
Brown’s decision is seen as a critical move in Democrats’ strategy to regain control of the Senate. The 2026 midterms are crucial for the Democratic Party, as they need to secure a net gain of four Senate seats to maintain their majority. However, the political climate remains challenging, with only two of the 22 Republican seats up for grabs coming from states where Trump lost or won by less than 10 points in 2024. Brown’s campaign, which will likely clear the primary field, could potentially put Ohio in play, though the odds are stacked against the Democrats.
Despite his loss in 2024, Brown has expressed a positive outlook, viewing the election as a new start rather than a failure. In an interview with POLITICO after his defeat, he emphasized his commitment to continuing his work on behalf of workers. Brown’s experience in the Senate, including his survival through two tough reelection campaigns despite Ohio’s growing Republican lean, underscores his determination to make a comeback. The Cleveland Plain Dealer was the first to report Brown’s plans, with two individuals familiar with his thinking speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss his not-yet-public decision.
The political ramifications of Brown’s decision are significant, as it could shift the balance of power in the Senate. However, the path to victory is fraught with challenges, given the current political landscape and the narrow margins of potential swing states. Brown’s campaign will be a key focus for Democrats as they aim to secure the Senate majority in 2026, a race that is shaping up to be one of the most critical in the nation’s political calendar.