Reports: Sherrod Brown to Run for Senate in Ohio in 2026

Former U.S. Senator from Ohio Sherrod Brown is reportedly planning a run to reclaim his seat in 2026.

News of Brown’s plans to run was first reported by the Cleveland Plain Dealer and attributed to conversations Brown had with Ohio labor leaders about his plans. Brown, a Democrat, served in the Senate from 2007 to 2025, when Trump-backed Republican Bernie Moreno defeated Brown by nearly 4 points, flipping the seat.

Brown’s candidacy is critical as Democrats need to gain four seats to reclaim Senate control. But as Politico points out, this will be tough: Only two of the 22 Republican seats up for grabs in the midterm elections come from states with foreseeable wiggle room.

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Brown is the only major Democrat projected to run for the seat, which he’ll easily secure in a primary. Brown would face off against Sen. Jon Husted, Ohio’s former lieutenant governor. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Husted to the Senate after JD Vance, a Middletown native, left the seat to become vice president.

Brown will run to replace Husted in finishing out Vance’s original term. He would need to run again in 2028 to win a full six-year term.

Brown reportedly considered a gubernatorial run after his 2024 defeat. As of press time, the most prominent Democrat in the race is former state health director Dr. Amy Acton, though former Ohio House minority leader Allison Russo and former U.S. representative Tim Ryan have expressed interest. On the Republican side, pharmaceutical tech CEO and former 2024 presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is the front-runner, with Morgan County School Board member Heather Hill also in the race. Ohio lieutenant governor Jim Tressel has signaled interest in running.

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Follow CityBeat’s staff news writer Madeline Fening on Instagram. Got a news tip? Email mfening@citybeat.com.

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This article appears in Aug 6-19, 2025.