COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is seeking a return to Washington, a race that will challenge Republican Sen. Jon Husted’s bid for the seat in 2026.
Brown, a Democrat, was defeated in his 2024 re-election bid by Republican Bernie Moreno, ending his three-term tenure in the Senate.
His decision ends months of speculation about his political future. Multiple reports Tuesday, citing sources close to Brown, confirmed his entry into the race.
Brown, 72, has long been a fixture in Ohio politics, serving as a congressman, Ohio secretary of state and U.S. senator. He is expected to frame his campaign around economic issues, labor rights and defending Democratic priorities in a state that has trended Republican in recent years.
Husted, who was elected to the Senate in 2024 after serving as Ohio’s lieutenant governor, is seeking a second term.
