WASHINGTON — Democratic leaders are lauding Ohio’s Sherrod Brown now that he’s launched his 2026 campaign to return to the U.S. Senate. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand on Monday touted Brown’s past advocacy for workers’ retirement and Social Security benefits and said he’ll stand up to the “chaos” and “recklessness” in Washington. Brown says he “couldn’t stay on the sideline” after passage of Republicans’ big tax breaks and spending cuts bill. The 72-year-old Brown brushes aside last year’s bitter loss to Republican Bernie Moreno. Brown seeks the seat held by Trump-backed Republican Jon Husted. Husted’s campaign says Brown pushed “radical liberal policies” as a senator.