Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio is facing criticism after accepting significant funds from corporate PACs, despite his previous objections to such contributions.
According to recent FEC filings, Senator Brown, who has been serving in the Senate since 2007 and is up for reelection this fall, received nearly $300,000 from various corporate PACs in the first quarter of 2024. These donations were directed to both his campaign and aligned super PACs. Among the corporate PACs supporting Brown are those associated with New York Life insurance, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Visa Inc., The Boeing Company, and The Bank Of New York Mellon Corporation.
Despite his history of speaking out against corporate PAC money, including a reported pledge not to accept such funds while considering a presidential run in 2019, Brown has faced criticism for his acceptance of these donations. Over the years, he has consistently highlighted his commitment to fighting corporate influence in politics on social media platforms.
Critics argue that Brown’s acceptance of corporate PAC money contradicts his public stance against corporate influence and undermines his reputation as a champion for the working class. His GOP challenger, Bernie Moreno, has accused him of hypocrisy, particularly in light of his previous statements regarding corporate PACs.
While Brown’s campaign has defended his record and emphasized his ongoing efforts to hold big corporations accountable, his race for reelection against Moreno is anticipated to be closely watched. With control of the Senate at stake, the outcome of this race could have significant implications for both parties.
As the November election approaches, both Brown and Moreno are expected to continue campaigning vigorously, with the Cook Political Report rating the Ohio Senate race as a “toss-up.”
