For Immediate Release
October 8, 2025
Contact: Neil Bhaerman, nbhaerman@oft-aft.org, 412-266-4899
Ohio Federation of Teachers Endorses Sherrod Brown
COLUMBUS — The Executive Council of the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) recently voted to endorse Sherrod Brown for Senate in the 2026 election. The Executive Council is made up of OFT member leaders from across the state.
Melissa Cropper, OFT President, released the following statement about the endorsement:
“Sherrod spent his career fighting for the dignity of work and economic justice for Ohio families. Ohio — and the rest of the country — were better off when we had his unabashedly pro-worker, pro-union, pro-education voice in the Senate.
For decades, Sherrod Brown has stood up for OFT members, for our students and their families, and for all working people in Ohio. He fought against unfair trade agreements that hurt Ohio communities; passed the American Miners Act to keep Ohio mineworkers safe and healthy; passed the Butch Lewis Act to restore pensions for more than 100,000 Ohio workers; and protected Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act from relentless attacks. Sherrod also helped pass the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs (ESSER), which brought billions of additional dollars to Ohio schools, and has fought for community learning centers, increased tax deductions for teachers who buy classroom supplies, and affordable housing for educators.
Most recently, in December 2024, Sherrod was able to pass the Social Security Fairness Act which ended financial penalties for public sector workers who were also due to receive social security benefits.
His work in the senate is only part of the story though. When Ohio workers come together to form a union, Sherrod speaks up in support, and when Ohio workers go on strike to fight for dignity, Sherrod is there.
Sherrod Brown has always had our backs, and now we have his. We are very excited to endorse Sherrod and look forward to hearing him fight for workers and education on the campaign trail.”
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The Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) is a statewide federation of 60 local unions of active and retired public school teachers and staff, charter school teachers and staff, higher education faculty and staff, social workers, library workers, social workers, and public employees. OFT works to advance quality public education, intellectual freedom, and a voice in the workplace for Ohio’s education & public service professionals. OFT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers.