Sherrod Brown to challenge Husted in 2026 Ohio Senate race after narrow 2024 loss

Sherrod Brown, the former U.S. Senator and longtime chair of the Senate Banking Committee, has announced his intention to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026, seeking to reclaim his seat in Ohio against Republican Jon Husted. Brown lost his 2024 election to Republican Bernie Moreno by a narrow margin of less than four percentage points, a result that reflected intense political engagement in the state and demonstrated his continued appeal among Democratic voters. His decision to seek a Senate seat again in 2026 signals a strategic move by Democrats to maintain a presence in a key battleground state [2].

The 2024 election saw over $480 million spent on both sides, with more than $40 million of it coming from crypto-backed political action committees supporting Moreno. Fairshake, a major PAC largely funded by cryptocurrency firms such as Coinbase and Ripple, played a central role in shaping the race through its affiliated groups, including Defend American Jobs. The PAC and its affiliates spent over $131 million in total to support pro-crypto candidates during the 2024 cycle, resulting in the election or re-election of over 270 lawmakers deemed favorable to the industry [2].

Brown, known for his critical stance on cryptocurrency and his calls for comprehensive regulation, was a prime target of these efforts. Despite his loss, his strong performance in 2024 suggests a potential for a comeback, especially if the political landscape shifts or if Democratic turnout is mobilized more effectively. In his campaign message, Brown emphasized his commitment to workers, healthcare affordability, and accountability in government—issues that resonate with his base of working-class supporters [2].

His return to the political arena comes as the crypto industry continues to exert influence in elections, with Fairshake reporting over $141 million in assets to be used in the 2026 cycle. The PAC has already begun supporting candidates in 2025 special elections, spending more than $2 million on three congressional races in Virginia and Florida. A Fairshake spokesperson stated that the organization remains focused on backing pro-crypto candidates and opposing those who resist the industry’s interests [2].

Congress has already taken steps to regulate crypto in 2025, with the passage of the GENIUS Act to govern payment stablecoins and ongoing discussions on broader market structure and central bank digital currencies. Brown, in one of his final Senate Banking Committee speeches, criticized the Trump administration for what he described as favoritism toward corporate interests and called for preparedness in addressing challenges in the crypto and AI sectors [2].

A recent polling report from Bowling Green State University showed Republican Jon Husted holding a six-point lead in a hypothetical race against Brown, although Brown had not yet announced his candidacy at the time of the survey. Husted, currently serving after being appointed to fill the seat vacated by JD Vance following his vice-presidential election, will face Brown in the November 2026 special election. The 2026 midterms will feature 35 Senate seats up for grabs, with Ohio being one of the most critical races for the Democratic Party’s chances to regain control of the chamber [2].

Sources:

[1] Former Sen. Sherrod Brown launches Ohio Senate campaign, Politico (https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/18/sherrod-brown-ohio-senate-campaign-launch-2026-00513314)

[2] Sherrod Brown, targeted by crypto PAC in 2024, to run for US Senate again, Cointelegraph (https://cointelegraph.com/news/sherrod-brown-ohio-senate-crypto-pac-2026-run)

[3] Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown makes it official, challenging ..., Yahoo (https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/ohio-democrat-sherrod-brown-makes-134014808.html)