For Immediate Release
August 18, 2025
Contact: Neil Bhaerman, nbhaerman@oft-aft.org
A Champion for Workers and Education Enters the Senate Race
COLUMBUS — Melissa Cropper, President of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, released the following statement in response to Sherrod Brown’s announcement about his Senate campaign:
“For decades, Sherrod Brown has stood up for Ohio workers and for quality public education. He fought against unfair trade agreements that hurt Ohio communities; passed the American Miners Act to keep Ohio mineworkers safe and healthy; passed the Butch Lewis Act to restore pensions for more than 100,000 Ohio workers; and protected Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act from relentless attacks. Most recently, in December 2024, Sherrod was able to pass the Social Security Fairness Act which ended financial penalties for public sector workers who were also due to receive social security benefits.
Sherrod’s 100% voting record on the AFL-CIO’s priority issues speaks for itself. His support for workers goes beyond his Senate votes. When Ohio workers come together to form a union, Sherrod speaks up in support, and when Ohio workers go on strike to fight for dignity, Sherrod is there.
Sherrod is also a leader on education issues. He helped pass the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs (ESSER), which brought billions of additional dollars to Ohio schools. He’s also fought for community learning centers, increased tax deductions for teachers who buy classroom supplies, and affordable housing for educators.
We are very excited that Sherrod Brown is running for the Senate and look forward to hearing him fight for workers and education on the campaign trail.
OFT’s endorsements are decided by our Executive Council, our union’s elected member leaders. They’ll be discussing making an endorsement in this election soon.”
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The Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) is a statewide federation of 60 local unions of active and retired public school teachers and staff, charter school teachers and staff, higher education faculty and staff, social workers, library workers, social workers, and public employees. OFT works to advance quality public education, intellectual freedom, and a voice in the workplace for Ohio’s education & public service professionals. OFT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers.