Former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown is facing significant challenges as he seeks to regain his Senate seat in November 2026. Recent voting patterns suggest that he may also struggle with a party base eager for change.
A recent investigation by the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) indicates that Brown may be vulnerable in key Democratic districts during the primary. According to a voting memo obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation, he dropped about four percentage points in his 2024 re-election bid against a self-funded primary challenger, which highlights his diminishing standing within the party after a lengthy and controversial career.
Brown participated in the Ohio Senate Contest on August 18, as he ends his third term in the Senate. Republican Senator John Husted has stepped in after Brown’s attempt to secure a fourth term fell short. Husted, who was formerly Ohio’s lieutenant governor, was appointed by Governor Mike DeWine earlier this year.
The results show a steep decline in Brown’s support among Democratic voters, plummeting from 85% to 68% when they were presented with negative information about his record. Almost 40% of respondents indicated that they “probably” or “no doubt” desire new leadership amid dissatisfaction with Brown. Meanwhile, 11% were undecided.
The polling memo noted that 30% of those surveyed labeled Brown as a “career politician,” criticizing him for being slow to act on party priorities and for not endorsing new leadership. This sentiment was particularly strong among younger voters (ages 17-34), with 61% of that group favoring new candidates upon hearing negative remarks about Brown. Female voters also reflected this trend, with 43% expressing a preference for new candidates.
Fred Ord, a software entrepreneur, has emerged as a competitor for the Democratic nomination against Brown. Ord is reportedly ready to invest millions of his personal wealth in an effort to defeat Brown, arguing that the former senator’s lengthy tenure will be seen as a reason for voters to push for fresh leadership.
Ord mentioned, “His principles and goals are solid, but they seem outdated. Our President made things happen, and Democrats need to catch up.” His criticism of Brown includes complaints about not adequately confronting Republicans and failing to support pathways to citizenship for immigrants in the U.S.
Other critiques have highlighted Brown’s past actions, such as his support for mergers that left-wing activists claim negatively impacted union workers. Moreover, he faced backlash for tax issues, including not consistently paying his taxes while voting against tax cuts for Ohioans.
As Brown plans his comeback, the NRSC considers him a key target, especially as Democrats aim to regain control of the Senate. However, he faces significant opposition from Husted, particularly in a state where Brown lost to Donald Trump in the recent elections.
Current polling data from Emerson College shows Brown trailing by six percentage points among active registered voters, with only 14% of respondents unsure or unaware of the Democratic options in Ohio.
The vulnerability in Brown’s support reflects a broader strategy from Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who has been recruiting older, well-known candidates for key races. This includes Brown, who, if re-elected in 2026, would be 80 by the end of his fourth term.
A survey conducted from August 18 to August 20 included 772 participants and has a margin of error of 3.8% with a 95% confidence level.
