Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown makes it official. He'll vie to unseat Trump-backed Sen. Jon Husted

Source: Associated Press

Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown makes it official. He’ll vie to unseat Trump-backed Sen. Jon Husted

By JULIE CARR SMYTH
Updated 9:31 AM EDT, August 18, 2025

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown officially launched his campaign Monday to return to the U.S. Senate next year, brushing aside his bitter loss to Republican Bernie Moreno last fall and expressing confidence his pro-working class message can continue to resonate with the state’s voters.

The state’s best-known Democrat, Brown is seeking the seat held by Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, a former Ohio lieutenant governor, state senator and secretary of state who’s already landed President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Husted was appointed to the seat in January to succeed JD Vance when he was elected vice president. Next year’s election is for the final two years of the six-year term.

In an Associated Press interview, Brown said he was not planning a political return until he watched with his wife, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Connie Schultz, as the Senate passed Trump’s big tax breaks and spending cuts bill last month.

He said the bill perpetuates a “rigged system” he’s been fighting against throughout his career, by offering tax breaks to the wealthy while cutting programs for lower-income Americans, such as Medicaid.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/election-2026-senate-ohio-sherrod-brown-trump-b47ba4a2a4da8e419de15047c33baa50