Former GOP governor endorses Brown in Ohio Senate race

Former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, a Republican, threw his support behind Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown (Ohio) in his closely watched reelection bid for the U.S. Senate.

In a letter to the editor published Sunday in the Dayton Daily News, Taft said he is still a Republican but will be putting party aside to vote for Brown, who Taft said is “the kind of leader” Ohioans need.

Taft, who served as governor from 1999 to 2007, did not mention Brown's GOP opponent, candidate Bernie Moreno, in the letter.

“I have always run for office under the banner of the Republican Party, am a conservative and usually vote a straight Republican ticket. Although still a Republican, I will be making an exception this year in Ohio’s U.S. Senate race by supporting Sherrod Brown,” Taft wrote in his letter, published Sunday.

“In doing so, I will be joining most voters who make judgments about candidates based not just on party affiliation but, often more importantly, on the candidate and his or her character, experience and expertise,” he continued.

Taft called Brown a “highly effective” and “experienced advocate” for Ohioans in the Senate, pointing to his cross-party work with Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) to advocate the interests of Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

Taft also said Brown “knows all of Ohio well and understands the concerns and challenges of people across our state,” and said Brown has always made time for his constituents. Taft added that Brown’s staff is also very attentive to all constituents who contact their office.

Taft touted Brown’s 25 years of experience representing Ohio in public office and noted that Brown’s seniority in the Senate has secured him some high-ranking posts, which Taft said is important to Ohioans.

The letter is notable since Taft comes from a well-known Republican family. His grandfather, the late Sen. Robert A Taft, became known as “Mr. Republican.” The former governor’s great-grandfather was President William Howard Taft.

The Associated Press noted that the former Republican governor is the only politician ever to defeat Brown in an election — when Taft defeated Brown in 1990 in his reelection bid for secretary of state.

The Hill has reached out to Moreno and Brown for comment.