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Sherrod Brown

Official portrait, 2021

United States Senator
from Ohio

In office
January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2025

Preceded by

Mike DeWine

Succeeded by

Bernie Moreno

Committee positions

Chair of the Senate Banking Committee
In office February 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Mike Crapo
Succeeded by	Tim Scott
Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee
In office January 3, 2015 – February 3, 2021
Preceded by	Mike Crapo
Succeeded by	Pat Toomey

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 13th district

In office
January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2007

Preceded by

Don Pease

Succeeded by

Betty Sutton

46th Secretary of State of Ohio

In office
January 12, 1983 – January 14, 1991

Governor

Dick Celeste

Preceded by

Anthony J. Celebrezze Jr.

Succeeded by

Bob Taft

Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 61st district

In office
January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1983

Preceded by

Joan Douglass

Succeeded by

Frank Sawyer

Personal details

Born

Sherrod Campbell Brown

November 9, 1952 (age 72)
Mansfield, Ohio, U.S.

Political party

Democratic

Spouses

Larke Ummel

(m. 1979; div. 1987)
Connie Schultz

(m. 2004)

Children

Relatives

Charlie Brown (brother)

Education

Yale University (BA)
Ohio State University (MA, MPA)

Signature

Website

Sherrod Campbell Brown (born November 9, 1952) is an American politician. He served as a U.S. Senator for Ohio from 2007 to 2025. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming a senator, he was a U.S. Representative for Ohio's 13th district from 1993 to 2007. He also served as the 47th Secretary of State of Ohio from 1983 to 1991. He began his political career in 1975 as a state representative. Brown is known for his liberal, progressive, and populist views within the Democratic Party.

Sherrod Brown was born in Mansfield, Ohio. He studied at Yale University and Ohio State University. He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006. He won against Republican Mike DeWine. Brown was reelected in 2012 and 2018. During his time in the Senate, he led the Senate Banking Committee. He also served on committees for Finance, Veterans' Affairs, and Ethics. In 2024, he ran for reelection but lost to Republican Bernie Moreno. As of 2024, Brown is the last Democrat to hold a statewide office in Ohio.

Early Life and Education

Sherrod Brown was born in Mansfield, Ohio, on November 9, 1952. His parents were Emily and Charles Gailey Brown. He has a mix of Scottish, Irish, German, and English family roots. He was named after his mother's father. His brother, Charlie, was the Attorney General of West Virginia from 1985 to 1989.

Brown became an Eagle Scout in 1967. His badge was given to him by John Glenn, a famous astronaut and senator. In 1970, he finished high school at Mansfield Senior High School.

In 1974, Brown earned a degree in Russian studies from Yale University. While at Yale, he lived in Davenport College. He also helped with George McGovern's presidential campaign in 1972. Later, he earned two master's degrees from Ohio State University. He got a Master of Arts in education in 1979 and a Master of Public Administration in 1981. He also taught at Ohio State University's Mansfield campus from 1979 to 1981.

Starting His Political Career

During his last year of college, a local Democratic leader asked Sherrod Brown to run for Ohio's state house. Brown served as a state representative in Ohio from 1974 to 1982. When he was first elected, he was the youngest person to serve in that group.

In 1982, Brown ran for Ohio Secretary of State. This job involves overseeing elections and keeping official state records. He won the Democratic primary election and then defeated Republican Virgil Brown. He was reelected in 1986. As Secretary of State, Brown worked hard to help more people register to vote. In 1990, he lost his reelection bid to Republican Bob Taft. This was the only time Brown has lost an election.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives

Becoming a Congressman

Sherrod Brown in 1993, during his first term in Congress

Brown's signature from 1990, when he was Ohio's Secretary of State.

In 1992, Sherrod Brown moved to Lorain, Ohio. He then ran for an open seat in Ohio's 13th congressional district. This district included areas near Cleveland. He won the Democratic primary election. The district usually voted for Democrats, so he easily won the main election. He was reelected six more times, serving until 2007.

Key Actions in the House

The Democratic Party lost its majority in the House of Representatives in 1994. Brown's party remained in the minority for the rest of his time there. He worked on the Health subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee. He helped get more money to fight diseases like tuberculosis.

Brown in 2004, while serving in the U.S. House

In 2005, Brown led the effort to stop the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). This was a trade deal between the U.S. and several Central American countries. Brown worked to get other Democrats to vote "no" and looked for Republican allies. The House of Representatives eventually passed CAFTA by just one vote.

Brown also spoke out against a change to Ohio's constitution that would ban same-sex marriage. He was one of the few U.S. Representatives to vote against the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. This law defined marriage as between a man and a woman.

Committee Work

Brown was a top member of the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He also served on subcommittees dealing with telecommunications, trade, and consumer protection. When he was on the House International Relations Committee, he was part of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

Serving in the U.S. Senate

Senate Elections

2006 Election

Sherrod Brown at a campaign rally in 2006

Brown hosts a discussion with advisors for Barack Obama's presidential campaign in 2008

In 2005, Sherrod Brown first said he would not run for the U.S. Senate. The seat was held by Republican Mike DeWine. But in October, Brown changed his mind. Another Democrat, Paul Hackett, dropped out of the race, making it easier for Brown to win the Democratic nomination. In the May 2006 primary, Brown won with over 78% of the Democratic votes.

On November 7, 2006, Brown defeated Mike DeWine. Brown won with 56% of the votes, while DeWine received 44%.

2012 Election

Brown ran for reelection in 2012. His main opponent was Josh Mandel. Brown had a steady lead in early polls. Mandel won the Republican primary.

Many outside groups spent money on TV ads against Brown in 2012. Over $5.1 million was spent opposing him. Groups like the United States Chamber of Commerce and 60 Plus Association spent a lot of money. In May 2012, Brown campaigned with actor Martin Sheen.

On November 6, 2012, Brown won his seat again. He received 50.7% of the votes, and Mandel got 44.7%.

2018 Election

In 2018, Brown was reelected for his third Senate term. He defeated Republican U.S. Representative Jim Renacci. Brown won by 6.8 percentage points.

2024 Election

In 2024, Brown ran without opposition in the Democratic primary. He faced Republican businessman Bernie Moreno in the main election. Sherrod Brown lost the election by about 200,000 votes. Moreno's win helped the Republican Party gain a larger majority in the Senate.

His Time in the Senate

Brown leading a meeting of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in 2024

Brown is known for criticizing free trade agreements. He supports progressive ideas on money matters. He has encouraged the Democratic Party to focus on issues that help working-class Americans. In 2018, he was made co-chair of a committee that worked on solving problems with pension plans.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Brown suggested a bill. This bill would let workers get paid sick days right away. This would allow them to stay home if they felt sick. Brown believed this would help slow the spread of the virus.

After President Donald Trump was impeached in December 2019, Brown voted to remove him from office. During the impeachment trial in January 2020, he wanted witnesses to testify. He thought witnesses like National Security Advisor John Bolton should be allowed to speak.

Brown also pushed for a law in 2020. This law would make the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) control certain chemicals more strictly. In 2021, he urged Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to create a special center for advanced air mobility in Ohio. In July 2024, he called for Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election.

Senate Committee Roles (118th Congress)

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
- Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research
- Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Local Food Systems, and Food Safety and Security
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (Chair)
Committee on Finance
- Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness
- Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy (Chair)
Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Possible National Campaigns

Brown speaking at the 2016 Democratic National Convention

Sherrod Brown is a close ally of Bernie Sanders in the Senate. However, he supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary. He was considered as a possible vice-presidential running mate for Clinton. The final choice was between Brown and Tim Kaine. Kaine was chosen. One reason Brown might not have been chosen was that if Clinton won, Ohio's Republican Governor would pick his replacement in the Senate.

Some people thought Brown could run for president in 2020. They believed he could bring together different parts of the Democratic Party. After winning his third Senate term in 2018, he thought about running for president in 2020. He started exploring a run in January 2019. But in March, he announced he would not run for president. He decided to stay a senator instead. He had also said in 2016 that he was not interested in being vice president.

Political Views

Brown speaking at the Lorain International Festival kickoff breakfast

Brown has often criticized tax cuts that he believes mostly help wealthy people and large companies. He argues that these cuts do not help the middle class enough.

Helping Veterans

The Ohio Wing Civil Air Patrol meeting with Senator Brown in 2012

In 2014, Brown introduced a bill called the Gold Star Fathers Act. This bill would give fathers of certain disabled or deceased veterans a better chance at getting federal jobs. He said that the government should support grieving parents, whether they are fathers or mothers.

In 2015, Brown and Representative Tim Ryan proposed a law. This law would give military veterans priority when scheduling classes in colleges and other education programs.

Environment and Energy

In 2012, Brown supported a bill to stop the export of some electronics. This was for environmental reasons. In 2018, his Water Resources Development Act was signed into law. This act helps invest in clean water systems and update water and sewer systems.

Gun Control

Dayton NAACP President Derrick L. Foward with Senator Sherrod Brown

Brown has spoken out against the strong influence of gun manufacturers in politics. He has also criticized Ohio's Republican lawmakers for trying to pass a bill. This bill would allow people to carry guns in places like airport terminals (before security), police buildings, and day care centers. Brown called this idea "lunatics."

Health Care

Brown speaking about health care reform in Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Brown supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He voted for it in 2009 and for the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act in 2010.

In 2006, Brown supported a bill for a single-payer health care system. This means the government would pay for most health care costs. He did not support Senator Bernie Sanders's similar plan. Instead, Brown supported his own plan. This plan would let people aged 55 and older buy into Medicare.

Housing Support

In April 2019, Brown and 40 other senators signed a letter. They praised a program that helps local community groups build and improve neighborhoods. They were disappointed that President Trump's budget planned to cut this program. The senators hoped for continued funding for the program.

LGBT Rights

Brown voted against a rule that would stop same-sex couples from adopting children in Washington D.C. He received a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign in 2005–2006. This shows he supports gay rights. In December 2010, he voted to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." This rule prevented openly gay people from serving in the military.

Education Views

Brown speaking at Arts Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. in 2014

In 2015, Brown introduced a bill called the Charter School Accountability Act. This bill aimed to stop "fraud, abuse, waste, mismanagement and misconduct" in charter schools.

Brown praised West Virginia teachers who went on strike in 2018. He said it was "shameful" when society does not pay teachers enough. He was proud of the teachers for standing up and getting the state legislature to do the right thing.

Immigration

In July 2019, reports said the Trump administration might stop protecting family members of active-duty service members from deportation. Brown and 21 other senators signed a letter against this. They argued that this protection helps service members focus on their duty. Ending it would cause hardship for families and hurt military performance.

Railroad Safety

In June 2019, Brown supported the Safe Freight Act. This bill would require freight trains to have at least one certified conductor and a certified engineer. These two people would work together to keep the train and nearby communities safe. This law aimed to fix a previous rollback of safety rules.

Trade Policies

Brown discussing how to make America more competitive

Brown has often criticized free trade agreements with countries like China. In a 2006 article, he argued that strong labor rights help the U.S. middle class. He believes that trade with countries without similar labor rules can harm the U.S. economy.

Brown's book, Myths of Free Trade, says that an unregulated global economy is a threat. He suggests rules for emergency tariffs and protecting "Buy America" laws. These laws give preference to American-made products. He also wants foreign producers to meet American labor and environmental standards. Brown supported a bill to officially call China a "currency manipulator." This would mean extra taxes on Chinese imports.

Brown speaking at a Labor Day Festival in 2008

In May 2016, Brown called for taxes on imports from China. He praised Hillary Clinton's plan to enforce trade rules. Brown opposes NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement). He believes it sent Ohio jobs to Mexico. However, he supported a new trade agreement for the United States, Mexico, and Canada in 2019. He called it a "step toward a pro-worker trade policy."

In November 2023, Brown and other Democrats pressured the Biden administration. This led to the administration dropping plans for a trade part of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

Employment

In 2012, Brown wrote to the United States Department of Defense. He asked them to follow a rule requiring military members to wear clothes made in the U.S.

Personal Life

Sherrod Brown was married to Larke Recchie from 1979 to 1987. They had two children together. Years later, Recchie said she was proud to support Brown in his Senate campaigns.

In 2004, Brown married Connie Schultz. She is a writer and won a Pulitzer Prize in 2005. She stopped her job in 2011 because being a politician's spouse could cause conflicts of interest. She has written books about her experiences as a political spouse. Brown has two stepchildren from this marriage.

Brown's daughter, Elizabeth, served on the Columbus City Council for seven years. He has five grandchildren. He is a Lutheran. His brother, Charlie, was the Attorney General for West Virginia.

In 2007, Brown received an honorary doctorate from Capital University. In 2014, he received an honorary doctor of public service degree from Otterbein University. He and his wife gave a speech at the graduation ceremony.

Images for kids

Congressman Brown in 1993
Brown's signature on an official document from his office as Secretary of State of Ohio, 1990.
Brown in 2004
Sherrod Brown at a campaign rally
Brown hosts a panel of advisers to Barack Obama's presidential campaign during the first day of the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado
Brown chairing the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in 2024
Brown speaks at the 2016 Democratic National Convention
Brown speaks at the kickoff breakfast for Lorain International Festival
Ohio Wing Civil Air Patrol delegation with Brown in 2012
Dayton NAACP President Derrick L. Foward seeks support from U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, Beavercreek, Ohio.
Brown speaks about health care reform in Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Brown speaks at 2014 Arts Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C
Brown talks about Making America Competitive Again and Restoring U.S. Innovation Leadership
Brown speaks at 2008 Labor Day Festival