Democrat Sherrod Brown will run in 2026 for the Ohio Senate seat currently held by Jon Husted, the Republican appointed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine earlier this year to replace Vice President JD Vance.
Brown served three terms in the Senate before losing his fourth reelection bid in November to Senator Bernie Moreno (R) in what became the most expensive non-presidential race in history. Brown is the only major Democrat to jump into the race as of yet and he will likely clear the primary field.
In his last speech on the Senate floor last year, Brown promised it was “not the last time you’ll hear from me,” prompting months of speculation among political insiders about whether Brown would throw his hat into the Senate race or make a run for the Ohio governor’s mansion instead. Brown’s decision to run for Senate was first reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, citing labor leaders who have been informed of Brown’s decision.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) met with Brown in Ohio twice in recent months to discuss flipping the GOP seat, and Brown began interviewing potential campaign managers this week, Axios reported.
DeWine appointed his former Lieutenant Governor Husted to the seat when Vance became vice president only two years into his six year term. The special election in 2026 will determine who finishes out Vance’s term.
“Should Brown enter the race as Schumer’s handpicked candidate he will be starting in the biggest hole of his political career,” Husted spokesman Tyson Shepard said in a statement. “He has never faced a candidate like Jon Husted. Brown’s slogans will ring hollow as his coalition walks away, tired of the radical policies he’s forced to support to appease his coastal bosses in California and New York.”
President Donald Trump endorsed Husted in early April. Husted is not expected to have a primary challenger.
“Jon is a wonderful man, has ALWAYS delivered for Ohio, and will continue doing so in the U.S. Senate,” Trump said on Truth Social. “He is working hard to Create Jobs, Lower Costs, Promote Products and Services MADE IN AMERICA by our incredible Ohio Workers, Support our Great Farmers, Champion Innovation, Secure our Border, Stop Criminals, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, and Strongly Protect our always under siege Second Amendment.”
“We are delivering BIG WINS for America,” the president continued. “One of the leaders I know I can count on is Ohio’s Senator Jon Husted. He will fight to advance Common Sense Values, and put AMERICA FIRST.”
The National Republican Senatorial Committee released a memo on Tuesday that expressed confidence in Husted’s ability to win in 2026.
“Democrats are so desperate they’ve pushed Sherrod Brown back into the arena fresh after being defeated by political outsider Bernie Moreno,” the memo, which was first reported by Punchbowl, read. “This cycle, Brown faces an even steeper climb against a well-known incumbent with a build-in statewide name ID advantage and the full support of President Trump and Governor DeWine.”