Former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown lost his seat in the 2024 election due to a campaign supported by the cryptocurrency industry, and he has now announced that he will run for senator again in 2026.
In an announcement, Brown stated that he will run for the seat of Republican Senator Jon Husted in the 2026 midterm elections, while Moreno, whom he lost to in 2024, will not seek re-election until 2030.
As one of the most outspoken voices on cryptocurrency in Congress, Brown hopes to influence legislation through another campaign after losing to Moreno, who was supported by the cryptocurrency political action committee.
During his tenure, Brown was the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and called for comprehensive cryptocurrency legislation following the FTX incident. Despite losing his seat, he stated that he could not stand by and watch the status quo in Washington, believing it was time to speak up for the interests of ordinary workers.
In the 2024 election, political action committees funded by cryptocurrency companies like Coinbase and Ripple Labs spent over $40 million to support Moreno, making it one of the most expensive Senate campaigns in Ohio's history.
Many believe that the Republican Party will maintain control of the Senate in the 2026 congressional elections; however, Brown's return may indicate dissatisfaction among Ohio voters with the current representatives.
Jan Vance left his Senate position in 2025 due to his promotion to Vice President, and the seat was taken over by Husted, who will serve until the special election in 2026.