Sherrod Brown launches bid to return to Senate, facing Trump-backed Jon Husted in Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio — U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown officially kicked off his campaign Monday to return to the Senate next year, aiming to unseat Republican Jon Husted, who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Brown, who lost to Republican Bernie Moreno in last fall’s race, stressed that his pro-working-class message remains resonant with Ohio voters as he seeks the seat now held by Husted for the final two years of a six-year term.
In announcing his run, Brown cited concerns over a recent tax cuts and spending bill, saying the measure perpetuates a “rigged system” that benefits the wealthy while cutting programs for lower-income Americans, including Medicaid. He noted that he wasn’t planning to come back to politics until after the bill passed, and he and his wife, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Connie Schultz, ultimately decided to act.
Brown, 72, remains one of the most recognizable figures in the Democratic Party in Ohio. He described his campaign as a continuation of decades spent fighting for workers and retirement security, emphasizing his new pro-worker nonprofit launched under the “Dignity of Work” banner in March. He contended that labor has no equally strong voice in the Senate for both union and non-union workers, and he pledged to be that voice.
Support for Brown came from top Democratic leaders, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Democratic Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand praising Brown’s record on retirement benefits and Social Security and saying he would “stand up to the chaos, recklessness” in Washington. Still, some Ohio labor leaders told the AP they would have preferred Brown run for governor, expressing concerns about how labor would fare if a strong GOP candidate like Vivek Ramaswamy—who has built substantial fundraising and GOP party backing—wins the open seat next year.
On the other side, Husted’s campaign characterized Brown’s candidacy as a continuation of a political career that would bring Washington-style problems to Ohio. A spokesman argued that Husted offers a different path—one that anchors in Ohio values and solutions to fix a “broken Washington.” Husted, who was appointed in January to succeed JD Vance after Vance became vice president, highlighted his two decades in state politics and his fundraising success as keys to his bid.
Brown said he expects broad labor support now that he’s launched his campaign and cited previous advocacy for workers’ retirement and Social Security as a cornerstone of his platform. He also connected his work with labor to the broader national debate over the balance of power between workers and the political establishment.
The race is viewed by some national strategists as a potential hinge point for control of the Senate, though Ohio has shifted more Republican in recent years. An August strategy memo from the National Republican Senatorial Campaign suggested Brown faces an “even steeper climb” against an incumbent like Husted and noted Brown’s 2024 race against Moreno—the most expensive Senate contest in U.S. history.
Husted’s team noted Brown’s defeat last cycle and framed the current race as a contrast between Washington-driven policy and Ohio-centered leadership. They pointed to Husted’s long record in state government and his ability to translate Ohio’s values into policy solutions as strengths in the race.
Key numbers to watch include Husted’s fundraising pace, which reached about $2.9 million in the last quarter, and the ongoing dynamics of Ohio’s political landscape as the campaign unfolds. As Brown and Husted prepare for a high-profile battle, both sides are likely to emphasize worker and economic issues, while national party dynamics and the legacy of the Trump-backed candidate factor into the race’s momentum.
Commentary and outlook
– The contest underscores Ohio’s status as a pivotal battleground with a blend of labor support, national party involvement, and a crowded federal and state political field.
– Brown’s appeal to workers and retirees will be tested against Husted’s statewide experience and endorsements, including the backing of a sitting president.
– The race could influence broader Senate dynamics, especially in a year when both parties are recruiting high-profile candidates for consequential outcomes.
Summary
Sherrod Brown has officially entered the 2025 Ohio Senate race, seeking to reclaim the seat currently held by Jon Husted. The campaign pits Brown’s pro-working-class agenda against a well-funded, Trump-backed incumbent, with national party leaders backing Brown’s history on retirement and labor issues and Republicans emphasizing Ohio-focused governance. The outcome will help shape control of the Senate and Ohio’s political trajectory in the years ahead.