Former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown’s creation of a Dignity of Work Institute has added fuel to the speculation that he might run for political office again soon, either for the Senate or for governor of Ohio.
The issue of “the dignity of work” failed as Mr. Brown’s re-election mantra in 2024.
It’s a message that candidate Mr. Brown hammered with more than $100 million of TV commercials, yet he was defeated by Republican Bernie Moreno in his losing re-election bid. Ohio Democrats believe the 11-point blowout victory for President Trump was behind his 3.6-point loss to Mr. Moreno.
Yet, the national political climate could change by 2026, which potentially could make the desire for better employment more attractive to voters.
It’s a platform that could serve as a start for the campaign, but it needs to be fleshed out. If there is a politician in the land who is against the dignity of work we would like to know who that is. What policies does Mr. Brown have in mind that would promote dignity in the workplace?
Mr. Brown says his Dignity of Work Institute will be a nonprofit, nonpartisan, Columbus-based platform devoted to “creating an economy and a society where Americans’ work is valued,” according to The Blade’s report by writer Alice Momany, “Former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown launches think tank,” Monday.
“American workers built this country and are working harder than ever but have less and less to show for it — they’re producing more than ever, but their wages have barely budged, and the cost of living keeps getting worse,” Mr. Brown said.
Mr. Brown debuted his institute with research detailing the multiple jobs many citizens are juggling to keep afloat financially. Mr. Brown’s message is that too much of the wealth from the state and national economy goes to the top of the enterprise and not enough flows to the work force.
The national unemployment rate hit a 50-year low under the Biden administration in 2023. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine celebrated the highest number of working citizens in state history during his annual address to the General Assembly. Clearly people are working. To the extent that they are stuck in jobs that aren’t secure or well enough paid to qualify for the American dream will determine how potent Mr. Brown’s work agenda is.
If Mr. Brown runs for any 2026 office, jobs with pay and benefits sufficient to raise a family will be his political platform promise.
A poll by the Democracy and Public Policy Research Network at Bowling Green State University conducted in February shows Mr. Brown as the Democrats’ first choice for governor in 2026. He has not ruled out a race for Senate or governor.
Control of the Ohio economic development mission as governor offers more opportunity to create dignified employment than does status as a senator.
First Published March 27, 2025, 4:00 a.m.
