Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, known for his strong stance against corporate lobbying, is facing scrutiny for the amount of lobbyist activity surrounding his office.
Fox News reported that despite his frequent criticism of lobbyists and claims of fighting corporate influence, Brown ranks highly among senators in terms of staffers who either become or have been lobbyists.
The Ohio Democrat is ranked #7 among active senators with former or current staffers involved in lobbying, raising questions about the consistency of his public stance.
This comes as Brown prepares for a challenging re-election battle in a state that has become increasingly Republican in recent years.
A significant point of contention is the number of former staffers from Brown's office who now work as lobbyists for prominent companies, including TikTok, Exxon Mobil, and Planned Parenthood. According to Legistorm’s revolving door rankings, Brown is tied for #15 all-time for senators with staffers who leave office to become lobbyists.
One prominent example is James Heimbach, a former lobbyist for Bank of America and Cigna Corporation, whom Brown hired for his office. Brown’s connection to Heimbach is notable, as Ohio has sued Cigna Corporation for allegedly driving up prescription drug costs through high fees.
Throughout his career, Brown has emphasized his populist message, focusing on holding corporate interests accountable. He has often positioned himself as a defender of the working class, frequently criticizing lobbyists and special interest groups.
In an interview with Rolling Stone last year, he stated, "Something's wrong with corporate America, and something's wrong with Congress and administrations listening too much to corporate lobbyists."
Brown's website echoes this sentiment, noting that he has "always stood up to special interests to level the playing field for Ohioans." His spokesperson reinforced this message, stating that Brown "fights for stronger ethics and transparency rules for lobbyists" and supports bipartisan legislation aimed at cracking down on foreign actors and holding corporations accountable.
As Brown faces a tight race for re-election, his ties to lobbyists have become a key issue for his GOP opponent, Bernie Moreno.
Moreno’s campaign has accused Brown of being a career politician who is deeply embedded in Washington’s political elite. Reagan McCarthy, a spokesperson for Moreno, said, "Sherrod Brown parades around as an average Ohioan, but he is nothing more than a career politician who rewards the Washington swamp."
McCarthy went on to say that Brown's lengthy career in politics has allowed him to build connections with lobbyists, further distancing himself from the average Ohio voter. The race between Brown and Moreno is expected to be close, with political analysts rating it as a "toss-up."
Brown’s spokesperson has pushed back against these criticisms, asserting that his record demonstrates a commitment to fighting for Ohioans.
They claim Brown’s focus remains on lowering costs for everyday people by holding corporations accountable. The spokesperson added that special interests are pouring money into the race to defeat Brown because they fear his efforts to rein in corporate power.
Despite the attacks from Moreno, Brown continues to emphasize his fight for stricter rules on lobbying and greater transparency. He has called for bipartisan efforts to introduce reforms aimed at curbing the influence of lobbyists in Washington.
Brown’s position as chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee has made his office an attractive place for lobbyists with financial and corporate ties.
In addition to Heimbach, Brown has hired at least two other former lobbyists to serve on his staff, further complicating his image as a critic of the lobbying industry.
These hires have led to increased scrutiny of Brown’s actions, as opponents argue that his public rhetoric does not match the reality of his staffing decisions.
Critics point to his ranking among the top 15 senators with the most staffers involved in lobbying as evidence of his close ties to special interests.
Sherrod Brown is widely considered one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents in the Senate. Ohio, which was won by former President Donald Trump by 8 points in 2020, has shifted to the right in recent years, making Brown’s re-election bid increasingly difficult.
Despite this, Brown remains a formidable candidate, having won previous races by appealing to working-class voters with his populist message. His focus on holding corporations accountable and fighting lobbyists resonates with many Ohioans, but the revelations about the number of lobbyists connected to his office could pose a significant challenge in the upcoming election.
