WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Democrat Sherrod Brown of Ohio said on Monday he would try to return to the U.S. Senate seat in next year's midterm elections, a development that could bolster his party's chances of winning back control of the chamber.

Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown has launched his 2026 campaign to return to the U.S. Senate. The state's best-known Democrat tells The Associated Press he "couldn't stay on the sideline” after passage of Republicans' big tax breaks and spending cuts bill.

It was widely believed that Brown would be running for governor of Ohio, but was lobbied by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to instead take on Husted as Democrats will battle to take back control of the Senate in next year's midterm elections.