Former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown’s entry would give Democrats their top potential recruit, since Brown has been elected statewide five times in Ohio.

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 Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown has told Democratic allies that he intends to run for Senate next year, two people familiar with his plans told CNN, and is soon poised to launch a 2026 campaign aimed at vindicating his defeat two years ago after three decades in Congress.