Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton has a handful of possible vice presidential picks to choose from, including 63 year-old Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown.
So who is this self-described advocate for the middle class?
Where it all started
Brown, who was born in Mansfield, Ohio, has served as a United States Senator for Ohio since 2007. Prior to his time in the senate, he was a member of the House Representatives for Ohio’s 13th congressional district. He acted as the state’s 47th Secretary of State for 9 years before his time in Congress, and as a State Representative for eight years. At that time, he was the youngest elected State Representative to serve in the Ohio body.
Brown comes from a seemingly traditional, though actually rather eclectic academic background. He pursued a BA in Russian Studies at Yale University and, perhaps realizing that his passion for Slavic languages wasn’t going to launch his political career, obtained a masters in public administration and a masters of arts from Ohio State University. He went on to teach at the Mansfield branch of OSU before shifting to the political side of a community he would come to represent for years.
What’s he push for?
A longterm advocate for marriage equality, Brown was one of the only United States representatives to vote against the Defense of Marriage Act back in 1996. He’s also deeply committed to fair trade and improving national manufacturing. Although Brown has been a staunch advocate for workers’ rights and tied for first in National Journal’s 2011 ranking of the most liberal Congressman/woman, he grew up as the son of a doctor in a well-to do family. He’s estimated to hold a net worth of $730,005, which is on the lower side of the Congressional average.
A family man
Brown’s wife, Connie Schultz, also boats a successful career as a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary recipient, and is a former writer for The Cleveland Plain Dealer and Creators Syndicate. She has published two books, including one surrounding her husband’s political career. In “. . . And His Lovely Wife: A Campaign Memoir from the Woman Beside the Man,” Schultz speaks of the choice to leave her work and throw herself into her husband’s instead, while struggling to maintain an identity of her own. Brown and Schultz have two children each, from previous marriages, and five grandchildren.
What sets Brown apart from the rest of Clinton’s choices?
Besides his charmingly raspy voice, veteran Eagle scout career, and impeccable fashion choices that include pairing Puma sneakers and suits, he is the only one of Clinton’s picks to have experience working literally alongside the presidential nominee. The two were neighbors on the fourth floor of the Senate Russell Building. Clinton even threw Brown and his staff a welcome party.
