The very slim Democratic field affords Brown the opportunity to face off against Republican Senator Jon Husted, Ohio's former lieutenant governor and secretary of state, who was appointed by Republican Governor Mike DeWine to fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat opened by JD Vance becoming vice president.

Brown’s decision, which comes after months of speculation, gives Ohio Democrats perhaps their best hope of unseating incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Husted.

Former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, Ohio’s best-known Democrat, is expected to make another run for the Senate next year as Democrats wage an uphill fight to win control of the chamber.