U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, whose re-election this November is considered a must-win for Democrats to hold the upper chamber of Congress, said late Friday afternoon that the time has come for President Biden to “end his campaign.” 

Brown said he is echoing the concerns of Ohioans and implied attention to the president’s health has become a distraction. 

“Over the last few weeks, I’ve heard from Ohioans on important issues, such as how to continue to grow jobs in our state, give law enforcement the resources to crack down on fentanyl, protect Social Security and Medicare from cuts, and prevent the ongoing efforts to impose a national abortion ban,” Brown said in a statement issued through his political campaign. “These are the issues Ohioans care about and it is my job to keep fighting for them. I agree with the many Ohioans who have reached out to me. At this critical time, our full attention must return to these important issues. I think the President should end his campaign.”

Because of his track record of winning in a red state and ability to raise money, Brown is the titular head of the Ohio Democratic Party and has a lot of influence in the national party.  His re-election campaign is the key organizing engine for the party here.  He faces Republican businessman Bernie Moreno, who has the endorsement of former President Trump. Trump carried Ohio by 8 percentage points in his two bids for the White House. 

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