COLUMBUS, Ohio — As Sherrod Brown launches a comeback bid for the United States Senate, Ohio voters are being reminded of a growing disconnect between Brown’s rhetoric and reality: his campaign is powered by wealthy coastal elites, not Ohio workers.
Brown continues to brand himself as a “blue-collar populist,” but federal campaign finance records tell a very different story. According to Federal Election Commission filings, Brown has raised at least $1.2 million from Hollywood celebrities, entertainment executives, and donors tied to wealthy California zip codes — far removed from the communities he claims to represent.
Despite attacking billionaires and corporate influence in public messaging, Brown has leaned heavily on glitzy West Coast fundraisers, including events hosted by top Hollywood executives encouraging donations of up to $10,000 per attendee.
Brown’s own campaign disclosures further undermine his claims of grassroots support. While he has touted small-dollar fundraising, more than 70 percent of his reported donations come from outside Ohio, with a significant share originating from California, New York, and the Washington, D.C. region.
This pattern isn’t new. Brown previously attended high-dollar Hollywood fundraisers while Ohio communities were dealing with real crises at home — including the aftermath of the East Palestine chemical spill — raising serious questions about whose interests truly come first.
Ohioans deserve representation rooted in Ohio values, Ohio workers, and Ohio communities — not candidates bankrolled by Hollywood celebrities and coastal political elites. As the 2026 Senate race takes shape, voters will have a clear choice between leadership grounded in Ohio and a recycled political figure backed by out-of-state money.
The Ohio Republican Party will continue to ensure voters see the full picture — and follow the money.
