On the first day of early voting in Ohio, the Friends of Sherrod Brown campaign unveiled its new “Republicans and Independents for Sherrod” coalition. This group, which already boasts over 200 members, includes Republicans and Independent voters committed to reelecting Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown.
The coalition’s co-chairs, former Ohio State Representative Rocky Saxbe and Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn, highlighted Brown’s bipartisan approach and record of working across party lines to pass key legislation. They pointed to his role in passing the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, the PACT Act, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as examples of his ability to put Ohioans ahead of party politics.
“In the years I’ve known him, Sherrod has always put Ohio first. That’s what Ohio needs and deserves in a U.S. Senator,” Saxbe, a Republican, said. “He’s been willing to work across the aisle and stand up to his own party when it’s right for Ohio.”
Sheriff Wasylyshyn echoed this sentiment, noting that despite their political differences, he respects Brown’s efforts to tackle the fentanyl crisis. “No one has done more for Ohio in this fight than Sherrod,” he said. “He’s always put party aside to ensure our law enforcement has the resources needed to keep dangerous drugs off our streets.”
Members of the coalition include veterans like Sergeant Jackie Cooper, who praised Brown for championing veteran causes such as the PACT Act, which expanded healthcare for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. Other Republicans, like Debra L. Hallock, expressed support for Brown’s work in protecting women’s healthcare rights and securing job-creating investments in Ohio.
The coalition underscores a growing trend in the state, with voters crossing party lines to back Brown. Whitlow Wyatt, a Republican and Teamsters Local 413 member, said, “Sherrod has stood up to presidents of both parties when their policies hurt Ohio workers. He’s protected our jobs and our retirement security, and he’s always fighting to make sure our hard work pays off.”
Sherrod Brown has built a reputation for bipartisan cooperation, having worked with Republican Senator Rob Portman to pass both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS Act, which led to the construction of a $20 billion Intel semiconductor plant expected to create 10,000 jobs. Brown also secured a project-labor agreement between Intel and Building Trades to ensure 7,000 of these jobs will be union workers.
His efforts to support veterans include writing and passing the bipartisan PACT Act, named after Ohioan Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson, who died from cancer after exposure to toxic burn pits. The legislation secured healthcare and benefits for veterans suffering from similar exposure.
Brown’s advocacy for Ohio workers also saw him fighting against trade deals like NAFTA and standing up to the Biden administration when their policies threatened Ohio jobs. Most recently, he successfully pushed for the establishment of a Cleveland-Cliffs transformer production facility in Weirton, bringing 600 jobs back to the region.
Brown’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by Ohio media outlets. The editorial board of The Ironton Tribune described him as “effective and productive,” lauding his work on the bipartisan FEND Off Fentanyl Act. The board also drew a stark contrast between Brown and his likely opponent, Republican Bernie Moreno, stating that Moreno “has no interest in working with the other side” and that the “best decision for Ohio could not be more clear.”
As early voting kicks off, the coalition’s launch signals that Brown’s bipartisan appeal may be a deciding factor in the tight U.S. Senate race.
