Sherrod Brown

Sherrod Brown
Name	Sherrod Brown
Caption	Official portrait, 2023
State	Ohio
Jr/sr	United States Senator
Alongside	J.D. Vance
Term start	January 3, 2007
Predecessor	Mike DeWine
Office1	Chair of the Senate Banking Committee
Term start1	February 3, 2021
Predecessor1	Mike Crapo
Office2	49th Secretary of State of Ohio
Governor2	Bob Taft
Term start2	January 8, 1983
Term end2	January 14, 1991
Predecessor2	Anthony J. Celebrezze Jr.
Successor2	Bob Taft
State3	Ohio
District3	13th
Term start3	January 3, 1993
Term end3	January 3, 2007
Predecessor3	Don J. Pease
Successor3	Betty Sutton
Party	Democratic
Spouse	Connie Schultz, 2004
Education	Yale University (BA), Ohio State University (MA, PhD)
Website	sherrodbrown.com

Sherrod Brown is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from Ohio, a seat he has held since 2007. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as Ohio's 13th district representative in the United States House of Representatives from 1993 to 2007 and as the Secretary of State of Ohio from 1983 to 1991. Known for his progressive economic stances and advocacy for organized labor, he currently chairs the Senate Banking Committee.

Early life and education

Sherrod Brown was born in Mansfield, Ohio, to Dr. Charles Brown and Emily Brown. He attended Mansfield Senior High School before enrolling at Yale University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Russian studies and was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He later pursued graduate studies at the Ohio State University, receiving a Master of Arts in education and a Doctor of Philosophy in education and public policy. His early career included work as an instructor at the Mansfield branch of Ohio State University and as a volunteer for the Congressional campaign of John Glenn.

Early political career

Brown's political career began with his election to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1974, representing a district in Richland County. At age 22, he was the youngest member of the Ohio General Assembly at the time. In 1982, he was elected Secretary of State of Ohio, defeating incumbent Anthony J. Celebrezze Jr. He was re-elected in 1986, serving two terms and focusing on voter registration initiatives. After an unsuccessful run for Governor of Ohio in 1990, losing to George Voinovich, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1992 from Ohio's 13th congressional district.

U.S. Senate career

Brown was elected to the United States Senate in 2006, defeating incumbent Republican Mike DeWine. He joined committees including the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. A key legislative achievement was his co-sponsorship of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. In 2021, he became chairman of the influential Senate Banking Committee. He has been a vocal critic of NAFTA and U.S. trade policy with China, advocating for stronger Buy American provisions and opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Political positions

Brown is considered a progressive Democrat with a strong focus on economic populism and workers' rights. He is a staunch supporter of organized labor, having authored the Protecting the Right to Organize Act. On healthcare, he supports the Affordable Care Act and has advocated for a public option. He has a mixed record on foreign policy, voting against the Iraq War but supporting aid to Ukraine following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. On environmental issues, he supports the Paris Agreement and investments in clean energy manufacturing in the Midwestern United States.

Electoral history

In the 2006 Senate election, Brown defeated Mike DeWine with 56% of the vote. He won re-election in 2012 against Josh Mandel and again in 2018 against Jim Renacci. His 2018 victory was notable for outperforming other Democratic candidates in many Appalachian Ohio counties. He is a candidate in the 2024 election, where he will face Republican nominee Bernie Moreno.

Personal life

Brown married Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Connie Schultz in 2004. He has two daughters from a previous marriage and is a stepfather to Schultz's two children. An avid reader, he is known for carrying a pocket United States Constitution. He resides in Cleveland and is a member of the United Methodist Church. Brown has authored several books, including *Myths of Free Trade* and *Desk 88: Eight Progressive Senators Who Changed America*.

Category:1952 births Category:Living people Category:United States senators from Ohio Category:Ohio Democrats Category:Yale University alumni Category:Ohio State University alumni