Former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown appears to be shifting his stance on policing, moving toward the left, which might complicate his plans to return to the U.S. Senate this November, according to state law enforcement officials.
Brown, who served three terms in the Senate and is up for re-election in 2024, is trying to win the other Senate seat in Ohio against Republican Jon Husted. Husted took over the position appointed by Governor Mike DeWine in January 2025. Law enforcement representatives in Ohio claim that while Brown presents himself as a moderate, his recent comments suggest he is courting support from the more progressive wing of the Democratic Party, particularly concerning crime and policing issues.
“Law and order should be a priority for everyone this election. It’s essential for a functioning society and contributes to how safe people feel,” said Eric Delbert, a sergeant in Ohio suburbs for over three decades.
Delbert insisted that Brown’s initial centrist, working-class image, while appealing, has faltered as Democrats have struggled to enforce laws following the protests after the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement. He referenced a tweet from Brown in April 2021 where the senator stated that the Columbus police shot and killed a 16-year-old girl. Delbert pointed out that video evidence showed the girl, Ma’Khia Bryant, attacked two women with a knife and didn’t comply with police orders, which led to her being shot by Officer Nicholas Reardon.
The senator had shared a link related to this incident, and a still frame from the body camera footage confirmed that Bryant was wielding a knife during the altercation.
Brown’s campaign did not respond to requests for comments on the matter.
Fraternal Order of Police President Brian Steele expressed frustration over Brown’s comments, suggesting they were misplaced and potentially unfair to law enforcement, especially given the situation. He asserted that Brown has not offered a formal apology despite being prompted for one repeatedly.
Steele suggested that the senator may have acted impulsively and noted that he has not made similar statements more recently.
Traditionally supportive, the Ohio FOP did not endorse Brown this election cycle, marking a significant shift from previous years, including 2012 when they backed him.
Commenting on Brown’s responses following high-profile police incidents, Steele stated that there’s a need for constructive dialogue, and it seems that Brown has faltered in that regard. He added that many Ohioans support law enforcement and recognize the need for positive relations.
Moving forward, Husted has been perceived as proactive, advocating for legislation that bolsters law enforcement, which many officers appreciate. The sheriff emphasized that Husted regularly engages with law enforcement to ascertain their needs, contrasting with Brown’s recent approach.
As they head into the November elections, the competition between Brown and Husted is viewed as highly contested, with the outcome potentially defining the Democrats’ prospects in regaining control over the Senate. Brown, a veteran politician who entered public service in 1975, is facing a challenging landscape but remains a notable figure in Ohio’s political scene.
