Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown Launches 2026 Comeback Bid

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Within 24 hours of announcing his bid to reclaim an Ohio seat in the U.S. Senate, former Sen. Sherrod Brown has already attracted millions in campaign donations from both state and national sources.

The 72-year-old Democrat confirmed his candidacy Monday morning after months of speculation about his political future. Brown, who previously served three terms in the Senate, is seeking to return to Washington on a Democratic ticket that remains thin in statewide races.

“Sherrod Brown is a very strong candidate. He knows Ohio, he knows what families and workers need,” said Senate Majority PAC spokesperson Lauren French on Tuesday. She acknowledged, however, that Ohio has become increasingly Republican-leaning in recent elections, making the 2026 contest a difficult one.

Former President Donald Trump carried Ohio in both 2016 and 2020 by more than eight percentage points, and in 2024, he expanded that margin to over 11 points against former Vice President Kamala Harris. Despite this, Brown’s reentry into the race has drawn national attention.

The Senate Majority PAC, which generally supports incumbents and high-priority Democrats, has pledged its backing to Brown even though he does not fit either category. His campaign has quickly gained momentum, reporting $3.6 million raised in the first 24 hours. These figures, however, have not yet been independently verified through Federal Election Commission filings.

Brown’s likely opponent is Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who was appointed in January to fill the seat left vacant when J.D. Vance became vice president. As the newest member of the Senate, Husted benefits from incumbency and established national support.

Republican groups, including the National Republican Senatorial Committee and Senate Leadership Fund, have already launched attack ads targeting Brown. “Democrats are delusional if they think Ohioans want anything to do with Sherrod Brown after voters removed him,” said Senate Leadership Fund spokesperson Chris Gustafson in a statement.

Campaign finance records show Husted entered July with $2.6 million in cash on hand. His campaign and affiliated PACs raised nearly $2 million between April and June. In comparison, Brown’s early fundraising surge suggests a highly competitive race ahead.

The 2026 Senate contest in Ohio is expected to be one of the most closely watched in the nation, with implications for party control of the upper chamber. Whoever wins will serve out the remainder of Vance’s unexpired term before seeking a full six-year term in 2028.