By Rev. Donald L. Perryman, Ph.D.
The Truth Contributor
We built a coalition of conscience, and we can do it again, and we can go forward, and help redeem the soul of America. – John Lewis
Audible whispers are beginning to circulate about former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown stepping into the ring for the 2026 Ohio Gubernatorial race. Some insiders have also speculated that Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz is poised to join him as State Treasurer on a powerhouse statewide ticket.
The election is more than a year away, but it’s not too early to ask: Are the voters ready for this matchup?
Brown, a frequent visitor and familiar face to Toledoans and the entire state of Ohio, has built a solid reputation over the past few decades, advocating for workers and middle-class families while serving in the Ohio Legislature, as Ohio Secretary of State, and as a U.S. Senator.
A potential Brown-Kapszukiewicz ticket makes sense, as it provides geographic balance in central/southeastern (metro Columbus), northeast (metro Cleveland), and Toledo/Lucas County (northwest Ohio) regions. The team’s other assets include a working-class political DNA and a track record of delivering real projects – from Intel expansion to consumer banking protections.
More notably, there’s growing dissatisfaction—even among conservative-leaning voters—over how far the Republican Party has drifted. In rural communities like Shelby County and Portage County, there are signs of fatigue. I am hearing that local leaders there say the extreme MAGA movement has hijacked their parties. So, while the voters there may still be conservative—fiscally and ideologically—they appear increasingly uncomfortable with the firebrand populism and racialized spectacle that some newer GOP figures have embraced.
“You think a guy like Vivek Ramaswamy is going to play in Shelby County?” one statewide political observer and consultant recently asked. The Trump-backed GOP gubernatorial candidate seems to strike a nerve, having been described as “A political marauder who talks the game about government cuts but has no concept of what government actually does or how to run it. He comes across as another candidate seeking a stepping-stone to a higher office. He doesn’t know Ohio and doesn’t have a plan for Ohio. And, of course, that’s not good for Ohio. Let’s get someone who has represented Ohio and delivered for Ohio, instead,” a frustrated Republican reportedly lamented.
This kind of talk, which highlights frustration and discomfort in rural and suburban areas, has created an unusual opening for Sherrod Brown, the current director of the non-partisan Dignity of Work Institute, who may have calculated the potential to slip through the widening crack between the MAGA base and the sensible Republican core. With his long-standing ties across the state, and if Wade Kapszukiewicz joins the ticket, Brown would have not only a seasoned partner in urban governance but also geographic balance and a strong local record to back him.
However, Brown’s success in the gubernatorial battle with billionaire “outsider” Vivek Ramaswamy may ultimately hinge on the effective backing of two African American state legislators—Representative Elgin Rogers and Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson. Rogers represents both urban Toledo and sizeable parts of its surrounding suburban and rural edges and is seen by many as a bridge-builder. Hicks-Hudson, a former mayor of Toledo herself, has spent her legislative years pushing for clean water, social services and criminal justice reform. Neither is flashy, but both are deeply respected in both red and blue areas and well-positioned to shape voter sentiment in an election where turnout could tip the scales.
Should Rogers and Hicks-Hudson jump into the fray and support Brown early and forcefully, they could become the architects of a winning coalition that spans across race, class, and political identity. Their endorsements would carry the weight of authenticity, particularly in a Black and working-class Toledo community that feels increasingly disillusioned by both parties. They could also help moderate voters feel less like they’re making a partisan gamble and more like they’re choosing a stable future over ideological chaos.
For certain, Ohio’s political landscape has always been a barometer for the country, and once again it’s beginning to shift. The good news is that as the winds of change begin to blow, leaders like Brown, Rogers, Hicks-Hudson, and Kapszukiewicz may find not only a viable ticket but a revitalized electorate ready for something new and real.
Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, PhD, at drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org