Democrats are making a play for Ohio in next year’s Senate race as former Sen. Sherrod Brown prepares an expected comeback attempt. The Buckeye State was once firmly purple, but has become increasingly red in the Trump era.

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

The left-leaning populist could help Democrats, who face a difficult 2026 map, as they try to reclaim control of the Senate.