Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio (D) has not ruled out the possibility of running for office again after his defeat in the recent reelection race. In a conversation with CNN’s Manu Raju on Sunday, Brown stated that he is open to the idea of another Senate campaign or even a bid for Ohio’s governorship in 2026.
Brown, who recently lost his seat to Republican businessman Bernie Moreno, was part of a wave of Democratic incumbents who faced unexpected defeats in the latest election. Reflecting on his loss, Brown shared with Politico that he isn’t dismissing any future political options, especially as fellow Ohio Senator JD Vance (R) prepares to leave his post and take on the vice presidency.
He also weighed in on the broader challenges facing Democrats, suggesting that the party’s message to working-class voters has fallen short, especially on issues that matter most to them.
He pointed to President-elect Trump and the Republicans’ focus on distractions that overshadowed the Democrats’ message. Having served in the Senate since 2007, Brown has been a prominent figure in Ohio politics.
Moreno, who made his mark through a network of successful car dealerships across the state, initially trailed Brown in the polls but gained momentum, securing a victory with Trump’s support at the top of the ticket.
Despite the loss, Brown remained confident during the campaign, noting that his on-the-ground efforts and the positive reception from Ohioans gave him hope for a win.