Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) announced Tuesday that he will not run for the Senate in 2024 and will instead seek re-election to his House seat, narrowing the potential field to face Sen. Sherrod Brown (D- Ohio) next year.
Davidson, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, revealed his decision in a memo to supporters, saying a Senate run would prevent him from doing his job in the lower house effectively. He added that he was “really tempted” to run for the Senate.
“Running for the Senate would effectively take me out of the House fray for 1.5 years to spend the vast majority of my time raising money,” Davidson said. “While the time spent with constituents in Ohio is the real joy of the job, a very narrow majority in the House of Representatives means my vote will be essential on any bill that cuts across party lines — important issues “.
“I’m sure the voters of Ohio are on Sherrod Brown and they’re going to send him home. I’ll always wonder if it would have been me, but it won’t be,” Davidson continued. “Instead, I will continue to defend the freedom of Ohio’s 8th District and seek re-election in 2024.”
Davidson has served in the House since 2016, when he won a special election to replace former Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) in the suburban Cincinnati district.
His decision further bolsters a potential GOP nomination field in Ohio. State Sen. Matt Dolan, who lost the 2022 primary to now-Sen. JD Vance and businessman Bernie Moreno have announced bids, while Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is expected to join the crowd next month.
Brown is seeking a fourth term in the Senate and is among the three Senate Democrats most under attack from Republicans, along with Sens. Joe Manchin (DW.Va.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.).
