It’s February 2019 and the 2020 Democratic primary field is already wide open. As of Feb. 19, at least 10 people, from tech executives to senators, have announced their intentions to win the nomination of the Democratic Party next year. Out of these candidates and the many more who have hinted at possible runs, the most intriguing candidate is Ohio’s very own Senator Sherrod Brown.

Brown has been involved in Ohio politics since 1975 when he was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives representing a suburb east of Cleveland. He has also held the office of Ohio Secretary of State.

Brown entered national politics in 1993 when he became a member of the House of Representatives. He became Ohio’s Senator in 2007 and was re-elected in 2018 to a third term with a 300,000 vote margin.

So what sets this 66 year old Ohioan apart from the rest? His broad appeal.

For decades, Brown has run on a consistent set of values. He may be one of the “working man’s Democrats” that have carried the party through the latter half of the 20th century, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t progressive. He has repeatedly advocated for a $15 minimum wage, and he has shown support for “Medicare for All,” a plan to expand basic health insurance to all Americans.

Four out of the last five Democratic presidents have been either from the South or the Midwest, and there is a good reason. If Brown is nominated as the Democratic candidate, he can use his broad appeal and working class support to turn states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin blue.

These midwestern states are the key to the White House, and President Donald Trump knew it, focusing significant campaign force in these regions to narrowly win the electoral college. Because of the impact midwestern states can have, Brown was also floated as a potential vice-presidential candidate for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the 2018 Democratic presidential nominee.

Out of the many candidates who have shown interest in running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020, Sherrod Brown stands out as one of the strongest candidates due to his broad appeal, consistent ideals and extensive political experience.

Information in this article is current as of Feb. 19, 2019.

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