The announcement from Brown, a former three-term senator, bolsters Democrats’ long-shot hopes of flipping back the Senate in the 2026 elections. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the chamber, with Democrats’ strongest opportunities appearing to be in Maine and North Carolina.

Former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown announced a bid to once again represent Ohio in the Senate on Monday, nearly a year after his reelection effort in 2024 fell short.

Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown has launched his 2026 campaign to return to the U.S. Senate. The state's best-known Democrat tells The Associated Press he "couldn't stay on the sideline” after passage of Republicans' big tax breaks and spending cuts bill.