Sherrod Brown

Democrat candidate for U.S. Senate in Ohio. Every point on this page links to its source. We don't grade candidates or tell you how to vote. As of 2026-09-28.

At a glance

PartyDemocrat
Running forU.S. Senate, Ohio
Born1952
EducationYale University; Ohio State University; Davenport College; Mansfield Senior High School
Occupationpolitician, university teacher

Source: Wikidata

Record

U.S. Senator, Ohio2007–2025Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
U.S. Representative, Ohio's 13th district1993–2007Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
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Full official biography, including earlier offices (Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress)

In Congress: 898 bills and resolutions sponsored, 8093 cosponsored, 10 became law on their own (a bill folded into a larger law isn't counted). Congress.gov

Confirmation votes

Every Supreme Court confirmation while in the Senate, and Cabinet confirmations in the last two Congresses. Senate records, newest first.

Supreme Court

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Where they stand

In their own words, from their campaign website, summarised in plain English. Under each issue, their Senate votes: Final passage votes in the Senate in the last two Congresses (2023 to now), matched to each issue by Congress.gov's own topic for the bill (and its subject tags, unless it is a catch-all bill with dozens), closest votes first: a lopsided vote says little about where anyone stands.

Taxes and government spending

Brown says he opposes giving large tax breaks to corporations and billionaires while working people struggle with costs.

“giving massive tax breaks to corporations and billionaires at the expense of hardworking Ohioans”
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Health care

Brown says he fought to cap the cost of insulin and lower other prescription drug prices, and worked to get veterans exposed to toxic burn pits the care they were denied.

“Brown successfully fought to cap the cost of insulin and reduce the price of other prescription drugs for Ohio seniors.”
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Social Security and Medicare

Brown says he worked to protect workers' pensions after Wall Street mismanagement, restored full Social Security payments to over 2 million public workers, and capped insulin prices for seniors.

“over 2 million former teachers, bus drivers, police officers, firefighters, and other workers are now receiving their full Social Security payments that previously were withheld by the federal government”
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Abortion

No stated position on their website.

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Foreign policy and defense

Brown says he worked with Republicans to ensure veterans exposed to toxic burn pits during their military service received the care they were previously denied by the VA.

“Sherrod worked with Republicans to get them the care they deserved”
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Money

From FEC filings for 2025–26. Outside spending is money a group spends on its own about a candidate — TV and online ads, mail, canvassing. It is not a donation to the campaign, and the candidate does not control it. Supporting means it was spent to help that candidate win; Opposing means it was spent to defeat them, usually on attack ads. Groups report it within 24 or 48 hours as the election nears. Raised is the campaign's own fundraising, as of its latest quarterly report. Largest donors come from each outside spender's own FEC receipts, with each donor's share of its itemized receipts; donors under $100,000 are not named. People are shown with the employer and occupation they reported. A donor that is itself a political committee is shown with its own largest donors. Companies and nonprofits don't report their funders to the FEC, so the trail ends there, and the page says so.

Sherrod Brown (DEM)

Raised
$38.6M through 2026-06-30 individuals $31.1M · PACs $861K · party $200 · from the candidate's other committees $6.3M · cash on hand $16.2M
Outside spending
$64.9M opposing Brown · $1.8M supporting Brown · latest reported 2026-09-25
Largest outside spenders
SLF PAC — $31.3M opposing Brown · 17 ads on this pageLargest donors: ONE NATION $70.7M (28%) (an organization: its own funders aren't reported to the FEC); Miriam Adelson $30.0M (12%), Adelson Drug Clinic, Physician; Stephen A Schwarzman $17.0M (7%), Blackstone, Chairman & CEO; Paul Elliott Singer $14.5M (6%), EMC, President; Elon Musk $10.0M (4%), Space Exploration Technologies Corp., CEO NO GOING BACK PAC INC. — $15.0M opposing Brown DEFEND AMERICAN JOBS — $5.7M opposing Brown Largest donors: FAIRSHAKE $37.0M (>99%) (its largest donors: RIPPLE LABS INC. $48.0M, an organization; COINBASE $25.0M, an organization; COINBASE COMMERCE (EXCHANGE) $8.2M, an organization); RIPPLE LABS INC. $250K (1%) (an organization: its own funders aren't reported to the FEC) AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY ACTION, INC. (AFP ACTION) DBA CVA ACTION AND DBA LIBRE ACTION — $4.4M opposing Brown · 6 ads on this pageLargest donors: KOCH INC $30.0M (33%) (an organization: its own funders aren't reported to the FEC); STAND TOGETHER INC. $20.0M (22%) (an organization: its own funders aren't reported to the FEC); Jim C Walton $7.0M (8%), Self-Employed, Philanthropist; S Robson Walton $7.0M (8%), Retired, Retired; STAND TOGETHER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC $6.5M (7%) (an organization: its own funders aren't reported to the FEC) OHIO FLYER PAC — $3.5M opposing Brown Largest donors: A PUBLIC VOCIE, INC. $1.0M (35%) (an organization: its own funders aren't reported to the FEC); TEAM HUSTED $513K (18%) (its largest donors: LAMONCHA, MARK $735K; Larry Connor $258K, THE Connor Group; Susan B Haslam $147K, Haslam Sports Group); Lawrence S Connor $250K (9%), Real Estate, THE Connor Group; Brian Colleran $250K (9%), Foundations Health Solutions, CEO; CHEVRON CORPORATION $200K (7%) (an organization: its own funders aren't reported to the FEC) and 20 more
Bundled through PACs
$335K through 4 PACs · FEC bulk data of 2026-09-27 JSTREETPAC — $321K from 377 gifts Lobbyist/registrant PAC ADVANCING DEMOCRACY AND MOBILIZATION PAC — $13K from 4 gifts BRADY PAC — $500 from 1 gift Lobbyist/registrant PAC SWING LEFT — $500 from 1 gift
142 PACs gave directly — alphabetical; the legal limit is $5,000 per election
  • A NEW DIRECTION PAC $10K
  • ACADEMY OF RAIL LABOR ATTORNEYS PAC $5,000
  • ADVANCING DEMOCRACY AND MOBILIZATION PAC $10K
  • AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION PAC $5,000
  • ALL FOR OUR COUNTRY LEADERSHIP PAC $10K
  • ALLEN COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY $1,000
  • ALSOPAC $10K
  • ALTERMAN MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC. PAC $2,000
  • AMALGAMATED BANK PAC $5,000
  • AMALGAMATED TRANSIT UNION - COPE $10K
  • AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, AFL-CIO COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATION $10K
  • AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR JUSTICE PAC $10K
  • AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES PAC $7,500
  • AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE COUNTY & MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES PEOPLE $10K
  • AMERICAN MOBILIZATION PAC $10K
  • AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL ACTION $10K
  • ASHLAND COUNTY DEMOCRATIC WOMEN $254
  • BAKERY, CONFECTIONERY, TOBACCO WORKERS AND GRAIN MILLERS INTERNATIONAL UNION PAC $5,000
  • BLUE HEN FEDERAL PAC $10K
  • BLUE WAVE PROJECT $10K
  • BROTHERHOOD OF RAILROAD SIGNALMEN POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
  • BUILDING BLUE $8,500
  • CACHE PAC $2,500
  • CARPENTERS LEGISLATIVE IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS $10K
  • COMMITTEE ON LETTER CARRIERS POLITICAL EDUCATION $5,000
  • COMMITTEE TO ELECT BATTEN & IZOR $800
  • COMMON GROUND PAC $10K
  • COMMON SENSE COLORADO PAC $5,000
  • CWA-COPE POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS COMMITTEE $6,000
  • DEFEND THE DREAM $10K
  • DEMOCRACY SUMMER LEADERSHIP PAC $2,000
  • DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY $2,500
  • DGA-PAC THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF THE DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA INC. $5,000
  • EDUCATE AND INNOVATE PAC $5,000
  • EVERY VOTE PAC $10K
  • FAYETTE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE $500
  • FIGHT FOR PROGRESS PAC $2,000
  • FOLLOW THE NORTH STAR FUND $5,000
  • FORWARD TOGETHER PAC $10K
  • FRIENDS FOR GINTHER $500
  • FRIENDS OF ANITA SOMANI $1,000
  • FRIENDS OF CHARLIE ADKINS $500
  • FRIENDS OF DICK DURBIN COMMITTEE $2,000
  • FRIENDS OF JERRY CORBETT $442
  • FRIENDS OF JOE MILLER $100
  • FRIENDS OF MARIA $4,000
  • FRIENDS OF MAZIE HIRONO $4,000
  • FRIENDS OF NICKIE J. ANTONIO $1,000
  • FRIENDS OF ROBERT YARBER $50
  • GIDDY UP PAC $10K
  • GIFFORDS PAC $2,500
  • GRANITE VALUES PAC $10K
  • GREAT LAKES PAC $10K
  • HAWAII PAC $10K
  • HEALTH JOBS JUSTICE $10K
  • HOLDING ONTO OREGONS PRIORITIES $10K
  • HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN PAC $4,500
  • I GOT YOUR BACK PAC $10K
  • IMPACT $10K
  • IN OUR HANDS $7,500
  • INT'L ASSOCIATION OF BRIDGE, STRUCTURAL, ORNAMENTAL AND REINFORCING IRON WORKERS (IPAL) $10K
  • INT'L FEDERATION OF PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL ENGINEERS LEAP PAC $2,000
  • INT'L UNION OF BRICKLAYERS & ALLIED CRAFTWORKERS $10K
  • INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SHEET METAL, AIR, RAIL AND TRANSPORTATION WORKERS PAL $5,000
  • INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS COPE $10K
  • INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN'S ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATION $5,000
  • INTERNATIONAL UNION OF PAINTERS AND ALLIED TRADES POLITICAL ACTION TOGETHER POLITICAL COMMITTEE $5,000
  • JEFFERSON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY $500
  • JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS $2,500
  • JUNTOS PAC $10K
  • KENT SMITH COMMITTEE $1,000
  • KEYSTONE AMERICA PAC $10K
  • KIDSPAC $10K
  • LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS ACTION FUND $4,875
  • LIFTOFF PAC $10K
  • LOBO PAC $10K
  • M-PAC $10K
  • MACHINISTS NON-PARTISAN POLITICAL LEAGUE $5,000
  • MAPLE PAC $10K
  • MARCH ON PAC $5,000
  • MITTEN PAC $10K
  • MOTOR CITY PAC $10K
  • MUSKINGUM COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY $1,000
  • NANCY PELOSI FOR CONGRESS $2,000
  • NARRAGANSETT BAY PAC $10K
  • NATIONAL ACTIVE AND RETIRED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION POLITICAL ACTION COM (NARFE-PAC) $6,000
  • NATIONAL RURAL LETTER CARRIERS' ASSOCIATION PAC $10K
  • NEA FUND FOR CHILDREN & PUBLIC EDUCATION $5,000
  • NO SURRENDER FUND $3,500
  • NRDC ACTION FUND INC. PAC $3,526
  • NUTMEG PAC $5,000
  • O'NEILL AND ASSOCIATES PAC $1,500
  • OCEANS PAC $10K
  • OFF THE SIDELINES PAC $10K
  • OHIO CORN AND WHEAT GROWERS ASSOCIATION PAC $10K
  • OHIO CREDIT UNION LEAGUE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $5,000
  • PAC FOR GOOD $5,000
  • PAC OF THE INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE OF THEATRICAL STAGE EMPLOYEES $2,500
  • PAC TO THE FUTURE $5,000
  • PCG (PERFORMANCE CONTACTING GROUP) EMPLOYEE OWNERS PAC $2,000
  • PEOPLE FOR PATTY MURRAY $4,000
  • PEOPLE'S VOICE PAC $10K
  • PERIMETER PAC $10K
  • PINEAPPLE PAC $10K
  • PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACTION FUND INC PAC $5,000
  • POPULATION CONNECTION ACTION FUND PAC $1,000
  • PROGRESSIVE CHOICES PAC $1,000
  • PROGRESSIVE VOTERS OF AMERICA $5,000
  • PSYCHOLOGY PAC OF AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION SERVICES INC. $2,500
  • PUFFENBERGER FOR JUDGE $250
  • PURPOSE PAC $10K
  • PUTTING NEW HAMPSHIRE FIRST $3,500
  • REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FOR ALL PAC $5,000
  • REV UP PAC $10K
  • SAMMONS ENTERPRISES INC. POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $3,000
  • SAVE DEMOCRACY PAC $10K
  • SEIU COPE (SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL EDUCATION) $10K
  • SENATE FIGHT FUND $10K
  • SMART SOLUTIONS PAC $10K
  • SMART TD PAC $5,000
  • SOCIAL SECURITY WORK POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $225
  • STAND UP FOR WORKERS PAC $10K
  • TEAMSTERS LOCAL UNION NO. 727 $1,000
  • THE AMERICAN CONGRESS OF OB-GYNS PAC (OB-GYN PAC) $5,000
  • THE SYLVANIA CITY & TOWNSHIP DEMOCRATIC CLUB $500
  • THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS EMPLOYEE PAC $5,000
  • TREASURE STATE PAC $10K
  • UA UNION PLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS VOTE! PAC $5,000
  • UNITE HERE TIP CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE $10K
  • UNITED FOOD & COMMERCIAL WORKERS INTERNATIONAL UNION ACTIVE BALLOT CLUB $10K
  • UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA - COAL MINERS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $2,000
  • UNITED STEELWORKERS POLITICAL ACTION FUND $10K
  • UNITEDEMOCRATS PAC $5,000
  • UTILITY WORKERS UNION OF AMERICA COPE $5,000
  • VELVET HAMMER PAC $5,000
  • VICTORIA PARKS FOR CINCINNATI $500
  • VICTORY NOW PAC $10K
  • VINCE GEORGE FOR CONGRESS $1,000
  • VSS & P FED PAC $5,000
  • WARREN FOR SENATE, INC. $4,000
  • WASHINGTON WOMEN FOR CHOICE $10K
  • WESTERN AND SOUTHERN LIFE INSURANCE CO POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (WESTERN-SOUTHERN PAC) $5,000

All filings at the FEC ↗

Praise and criticism

What named supporters and critics say, as reported. Shown in equal numbers.

Praise

Ohio State Medical Association: Endorsed Brown for re-election citing his support for Medicaid expansion, reversing Medicare payment cuts, and fighting the opioid crisis. cleveland.com

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Lauren French: A Democratic Senate Majority PAC spokesperson said Husted always sided with Trump over Ohio families, implicitly backing Brown's candidacy. usatoday.com

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Jeff Rusnak: Democratic strategist called Brown the best possible candidate Democrats could get and the best retail politician in Ohio. washingtonexaminer.com

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AFL-CIO president: Praised the USMCA trade agreement that Brown helped negotiate with stronger labor and environmental provisions. wosu.org

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Criticism

Rob Portman: Praised the flexibility the Cassidy-Graham health bill gives states, implicitly countering Brown's criticism of the bill. wosu.org

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Patrick Eisenhauer: Brown's campaign manager criticized Husted for voting to shut down the government, spiking health care costs, and supporting tariffs. axios.com

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Tyson Shepard: Husted's spokesperson said Brown would be starting in the biggest hole of his political career as Schumer's handpicked candidate. cincinnati.com

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Phil Letsou: Moreno's spokesman said Brown is a bitter career politician lashing out because he has to find a real job. cnn.com

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Controversies

Stated as reported. Most are reported by at least two independent news outlets or found in an official record; any with only one source so far is marked Single source.

Court cases

MUR 7508: Whirlpool advertisement corporate contribution complaint

A complaint filed with the FEC alleged that Brown's campaign committee accepted an illegal in-kind corporate contribution from Whirlpool Corporation by using the company's logo and employees in a campaign ad; the FEC dismissed the allegations.

Sources: fec.gov

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Allegations

Abuse and assault allegations raised by 2018 opponent Jim Renacci

During the 2018 Senate campaign, Republican opponent Jim Renacci said 'multiple women' had contacted him alleging Brown assaulted them between his two marriages; an attorney also released a statement describing an alleged 'unwanted' advance by Brown against a woman in the late 1980s. Brown denied the allegations and his campaign called them unsubstantiated and threatened legal action.

Response: "It's absolutely untrue," Brown told the Dayton Daily News. "...Renacci should be ashamed of this. He's clearly a desperate candidate just doing whatever he can do to upend everything. There's no truth to those."

Sources: cincinnati.com, cleveland.com

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1986 divorce allegations of abuse

Court filings from Brown's 1986 divorce, revived in later campaigns including by a 'dark money' website tied to a Republican consulting firm, included his ex-wife Larke Recchie's sworn statements accusing Brown of pushing, shoving and intimidating her; she did not pursue formal charges and later became a public supporter of Brown, calling the attacks 'disgusting.'

Sources: cleveland.com, washingtonpost.com

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From Semblen

Semblen analyzed 58 ads from Sherrod Brown's campaign; 17 used at least one manipulation technique, most often False Urgency, Appeal to Prejudice, Appeal to Fear. See the ads, the money and every candidate in this race →

Sources

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