Human Rights Campaign PAC Endorses Sherrod Brown for U.S. Senate

COLUMBUS – Today, the Human Rights Campaign PAC (HRC PAC) announced its endorsement of former-U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown in his campaign to reclaim a Senate seat in the 2026 United States Senate special election in Ohio. This race could provide a crucial pathway to winning a pro-equality majority in the U.S. Senate, creating new opportunities to advance pro-equality policies, and push back against extremist’ attacks on the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ Americans across the country. 

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson released the following statement:

“A champion for Ohioans, Sherrod Brown has always stood strong in his commitment to creating a better and brighter future for all Ohioans. From expanding access to healthcare to ensuring that everyone has equal opportunity to thrive, Brown’s tireless advocacy serves as a reminder that true public service leaves no one behind,” said HRC President Kelley Robinson. “But the Trump Administration and its enablers in Congress are working tirelessly to siphon wealth and opportunity to their friends while the rest of us pick up the tab – using LGBTQ+ lives as a political wedge in that quest to divide and conquer the country. This election is our chance to fight back and send a message: that freedom should belong to all of us. We will make sure our communities show up and show out at the ballot box, elect Sherrod Brown, and help build the future we all deserve.” 

Sherrod Brown released the following statement:

“I am proud to have HRC’s support in this campaign, and I will always stand up for the rights of all Ohioans and ensure that they can live their lives free from discrimination. By putting billionaires before working families and supporting skyrocketing costs, Jon Husted is making life harder for everyone. Ohio deserves a Senator who fights to protect equal opportunities for all – not one who puts them even further out of reach.”

First elected to the Senate in 2006, Brown has a long history of advancing pro-LGBTQ+ policies, including:

• Introduced a resolution to recognize June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. During his leadership, he has uplifted the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community in our nation’s history and our part in America’s identity. 
• Voted for the 2022 Respect for Marriage Act after years of support for marriage equality.
• Supported LGBTQ+ veterans by urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve data collection for LGBTQ+ veterans to ensure proper addressment of health disparities and other inequities. 
• Voted against the 1996 discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act and against the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would have prohibited same sex marriage in every state.

A champion of the dignity of work, Brown also served as the Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and secured groundbreaking workers’ protections that amount to the strongest labor enforcement in American history in a U.S. trade deal. In an effort to bring quality, affordable, healthcare to all Americans, Brown refused to accept Congressional health insurance until Congress passed the Affordable Care Act. 

HRC’s Commitment to Ohio

Equality Voters — including the more than 2.5 million in Ohio — are a powerful and diverse voting bloc united by support for LGBTQ+ equality. Equality Voters are younger, more racially diverse, and more female than the general electorate, and they recognize and trust the HRC brand. HRC PAC has made significant investments in Ohio over the years, working to mobilize those Equality Voters and elect pro-equality champions up and down the ballot.

Beyond its PAC’s electoral efforts, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has a long organizing history in Ohio, including the establishment of some of its very first volunteer leadership committees. HRC now has three volunteer steering committees in Ohio, who lead outreach across the state. HRC has had a presence in the state during every midterm and presidential election since its founding. The work of HRC in Ohio extends past electoral work, as we work alongside our in-state partner, Equality Ohio, to defeat anti-LGBTQ+ state and local legislation and policies.

Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC, www.hrc.org. Authorized by Friends of Sherrod Brown.