Opinion: Whether you vote based on policy or character, Sherrod Brown is the right choice

While the Senate race for Ohio is tight, the way we see it, the choice is obvious.

For the past 18 years, Sherrod Brown has been a steady guide in D.C. for his constituents, holding families and the working class as his north star in dictating where to direct his priorities.

He has been a strong, ethical voice of support for the poor, women, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants and other minorities. He fights for the issues Akron-area residents and Ohioans care about with compassion and competency.

Bernie Moreno, on the other hand, has no political experience, no focus, no clear policies, and no intention to sit down with media outlets like the Beacon Journal to clarify those policies.

More: OPINION: The differences in Brown vs. Moreno are stark — just look at their stances

Moreno also has no tact, repeatedly littering his campaign trail with insults and flat-out lies. 

He's called women older than 50 "crazy" for caring about abortion because they are unlikely to conceive children at their age. He has lied about holding an MBA from the University of Michigan. He has lied about lawsuits after being sued more than a dozen times by workers he did not pay.

And these are just some of the lies we know about.

Still not convinced? Perhaps we can appeal to you based on your voting priorities.

Those who vote based on track record can look to Brown's many legislative wins. He has successfully co-authored or supported a number of useful bills that have become law, from the FEND Off Fentanyl Act that targets illegal fentanyl suppliers from China and Mexico to the PACT Act to secure health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxins and burn pits during their service — just to name a few. 

Those bills include bipartisan efforts, including the CHIPS and Science Act that led to Akron being named one of just 11 tech hubs in the entire country — a designation Brown said he "fought like hell" to get.

More: 'Akron earned this one': Polymer industry partners land $51 million in federal funds

Those who vote based on policy plans are also likely to find appeal in Brown. While he's accomplished much in his tenure, he plans to use another term to get even more done.

Brown lately has turned a focus toward affordable housing, and he supports pushing back on "predatory investors" and removing tax breaks for hedge funds that buy up properties and drive rent up. He also supports giving down-payment assistance to certain groups of people, such as teachers, firefighters and police, and he wants to expand that to helping other people buy their first homes.

Brown also continues to voice his support for a bipartisan border security bill. One recently moved through Congress with the support of Brown and many others, but it fizzled when Donald Trump called for it to be squashed in a political play.

Meanwhile, Moreno's most tangible policy idea is a repeated call for a national abortion ban, going against the will of the majority of Ohioans who last year voted to enshrine the right to this critical health care in the state constitution.

And for those who vote based on character — well, the obvious choice is, again, Brown. In his nearly 20 years as senator, Brown has not wavered from his commitment to workers in the state. He's rightfully earned a reputation as an honest politician by sticking to his values, which often align with those in Ohio.

More: OPINION: Sherrod Brown has been the steady and authentic advocate for Ohio

Moreno's views, on the other hand, morph with the drop of a hat and now conveniently mirror those of Trump.

In this key race, every vote from Ohioans matters. A vote for Brown just makes sense.

This piece was written by Akron Beacon Journal Opinion and Community Engagement Editor Theresa Bennett on behalf of the editorial board of  the Beacon Journal.  Editorials are fact-based assessments of issues of importance to the communities we serve. These are not the opinions of our reporting staff members, who strive for neutrality in their reporting.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Opinion: Beacon Journal endorses Sherrod Brown for Senate in 2024 election