Brown officially declares for 2026 U.S. Senate race

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(The Center Square) – Former Democrat U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown made it official Monday, announcing he will challenge Sen. Jon Husted next year for the seat vacated by Vice President J.D. Vance.

Brown, who lost his seat after nearly two decades to political newcomer Bernie Moreno in November, had been rumored as a potential gubernatorial candidate in 2026. Instead, he’ll challenge Husted, the state’s former lieutenant governor, for the last two years of Vance’s term.

“Standing up for workers. Treating everyone with dignity and respect. Working as hard as possible for the people of Ohio,” Brown said on social media Monday. “I’ve tried to live by those principles. But these days that’s not what’s happening in Washington – so I’m running for Senate.”

Shortly after Brown’s announcement, the Ohio Republican Party posted on X it was behind Husted.

“The same coalition that delivered landslides for Trump, Vance and Moreno will deliver for Husted, too,” The state GOP posted.

Brown started his political career in 1975, becoming the youngest state representative in history at 22. He served as Ohio secretary of state, U.S. representative and U.S. senator.

He narrowly lost to Moreno in November, 50.1%-46.5%. Libertarian Don Kissick picked up the other 3.4%.

The two campaigns spent nearly $500 million.

Before the loss, Brown was the only Democrat to hold statewide office in Ohio.