Former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown announced on Monday that he will seek to reclaim an Ohio seat in the 2026 midterm elections, mounting a challenge to Republican Senator Jon Husted. The 72-year-old Democrat framed his comeback bid around the themes of protecting workers and reversing what he called "reckless tariffs and economic chaos" under former President Donald Trump. Husted was appointed in January to fill the vacancy created when JD Vance became vice president; the November 2026 special election will decide who serves the remaining two years of Vance’s term, through January 2029. If victorious, Brown would face another campaign in 2028 for a full six-year term. Brown had represented Ohio in the Senate for 18 years before losing re-election last November to Republican Bernie Moreno by roughly 3.5 percentage points, even as Trump carried the state by 11 points. He said he returned to the race after urging from constituents and Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The Cook Political Report immediately shifted its rating of the contest to “Lean Republican” from “Likely Republican,” underscoring the seat’s potential to influence control of a chamber now split 53–47 in the GOP’s favor. National party committees and outside groups are expected to pour significant resources into what could become one of 2026’s marquee Senate battles.