Sherrod Brown Planning 2026 Senate Comeback Against Jon Husted

Sherrod Brown Planning 2026 Senate Comeback Against Jon Husted

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown is gearing up for a political comeback, preparing to challenge Republican Senator Jon Husted in Ohio’s 2026 race, according to labor leaders and sources familiar with his plans.

Brown, who lost his seat in 2024 after a bruising reelection battle, has been quietly interviewing campaign managers — a strong signal that he’s ready to enter the race. His decision comes after months of speculation about whether he’d pursue another Senate run or make a bid for governor.

Why This Race Matters

If Brown officially jumps in, it would give Democrats one of their strongest contenders to flip a Senate seat in Ohio, a state that’s leaned heavily Republican in recent years. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has personally courted Brown, visiting Ohio twice this summer to persuade him to run.

However, some Ohio Democrats hoped Brown would instead run for governor, where they believe he could pose a major threat to GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

The 2026 Senate Battlefield

Ohio is considered a tough fight for Democrats, but Brown’s track record offers hope. He lost by fewer than four percentage points in 2024, which is much better than Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost the state to former President Donald Trump by 11 points.

If Brown enters the race, he would join former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, another high-profile Democrat running in 2026, as part of Schumer’s effort to cut into the GOP’s Senate majority.

Husted’s Strong Starting Position

Husted, 57, was appointed earlier this year to fill the seat vacated by JD Vance when Vance became vice president. He heads into his first election with full Republican backing and a strong war chest — raising $2.9 million in the second quarter of the year and starting July with $2.6 million cash on hand.

Brown’s Appeal and Potential Challenges

At 72, Brown is known for his pro-tariff and trade-skeptical stances, which could help him connect with working-class and even some MAGA voters. Still, his return wouldn’t be without complications.

If Brown wins, Senate seniority rules could strip him of his previous ranking on the powerful Banking Committee, currently led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). Unless Democrats change the rules or strike a deal, Brown would re-enter the Senate as if it were his first term.

What’s Next

No official campaign announcement has been made, but insiders say Schumer is leaving nothing to chance, continuing to lobby Brown directly. If he enters the race, it could turn Ohio into one of the most closely watched Senate contests of 2026.