Ohioan Senator Sherrod Brown announces his bid for the US Senate in 2026, aiming to reclaim his Ohio seat
Senator Sherrod Brown, a veteran Democrat from Ohio, has announced his intention to run for Senate in the 2026 election, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown with current Senator Jon Husted.
Brown, who served three terms from 2007 through 2024, was first elected in 2006 and won reelections in 2012 and 2018. After losing his seat to Republican Bernie Moreno in 2024, he announced his comeback bid.
Senate Democrats' seniority, especially on influential committees like the Banking Committee where Brown was a leader, will be substantially diminished if he wins this comeback bid. This is because seniority in the Senate is now based on the most recent period of continuous service, meaning Brown would effectively reset his seniority upon returning, losing his prior ranking to senators like Elizabeth Warren.
Husted, on the other hand, is a relative newcomer to the Senate. He was appointed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine after Vice President JD Vance vacated the seat earlier this year. Husted is a former Ohio state representative and lieutenant governor but comparatively less experienced at the federal level than Brown.
Despite his prior loss and seniority challenges, Brown's extensive Senate experience and previous accomplishments make him a formidable opponent to Husted in this pivotal 2026 Ohio Senate race. Brown remains the only major Democrat running for this seat, positioning himself as the best chance for Democrats to flip the crucial Ohio Senate seat back amid Ohio’s increasingly Republican-leaning electorate.
In contrast, Husted, as the incumbent, will benefit from the Republican gains in Ohio. The Democratic Party faces a stiff challenge in gaining a net of four seats in the upcoming midterm elections, and Ohio is seen as a Republican stronghold.
Here's a brief comparison of the two candidates:
| Aspect | Sherrod Brown | Jon Husted | |----------------------------|----------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | Party | Democratic | Republican | | Senate Experience | 3 prior terms (2007–2024) | Appointed in 2025, no prior Senate service | | Seniority Status | Will lose seniority if he returns (resets to new entry date) | N/A (appointed) | | Political Landscape | Ohio shifting more Republican | Beneficiary of Republican gains | | Election 2026 Dynamics | Seen as Democrats’ best hope to flip the seat | Incumbent, appointed, running for election |
The Democrats also have a potential chance to flip a GOP-held Senate seat in North Carolina with former Governor Roy Cooper. However, Brown's decision to run for Senate adds to the Democratic Party's uphill fight to win control of the Senate.
Brown's decision to run for Senate was first reported by Cleveland.com. Brown, at 72 years old, had also been considering a run for governor but has now decided to run for Senate instead.
This upcoming race promises to be an exciting and closely watched contest in the political landscape of Ohio and the United States.
[1] Cleveland.com, "Sherrod Brown announces he's running for Senate in 2026", link [2] The New York Times, "Sherrod Brown to Run for Senate in Ohio in 2026", link [3] Roll Call, "Sherrod Brown to Run for Senate in 2026, Setting Up Showdown with Jon Husted", link
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