Former Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is gearing up for another Senate campaign in 2026, setting the stage to challenge John Husted (R-OH) after his defeat by Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) last November.
Brown’s time in the Senate began in 2007, but he faced a setback when he lost to Moreno by over 200,000 votes. The Democrats invested heavily, with $194 million backing his campaign as he aims to rally labor leaders in Ohio, according to reports.
Though Brown hasn’t officially declared his candidacy yet, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has already expressed support for Husted. This endorsement comes after Governor Mike DeWine (R) appointed Husted to fill JD Vance’s Senate seat when Vance moved up as vice president.
The NRSC memo stated, “When Governor DeWine appointed John to fill Vice President Vance’s Senate seat, he chose a proven conservative who reflects what Ohio is today.” It also mentioned that while Brown is preparing to run again after his last campaign defeat, the Democrats seem to be looking to the past.
The memo highlighted Husted’s track record as Ohio’s former lieutenant governor, noting that he has never lost a race in the state and received early backing from President Trump.
Furthermore, it emphasized Husted’s fundraising successes, stating, “He built a strong election effort, raising $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2025.”
On the Democrats’ side, the memo described their situation as desperate, pointing out that they’re pushing Brown into a challenging position after his loss to the outsider Moreno. The upcoming race promises to be tough, especially against well-known incumbents who have the state’s ID advantage and strong support from Trump and Governor DeWine.
A poll from Bowling Green University in April showed Husted leading Brown 49-46, with a notable six-point lead among independent voters.
Additionally, Husted has secured support from Trump, who referred to him as a “great man” doing an “incredible job” as a senator in Ohio.
As the political landscape becomes more red and conservative momentum builds, there’s speculation about how Brown’s legacy may be fading. The NRSC believes Husted has strong prospects for defeating him again.
