U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown – who said a few months ago that he didn’t see Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee — is endorsing the former vice president for the job.

In a Tuesday statement from Biden’s campaign, Brown said: “Joe Biden has dedicated his life to serving our country and has never forgotten whom he fights for: the millions of Americans who are working hard, but feel like they can’t earn their way to a better life, no matter how hard they work.”

He added: “As we face both a public health crisis and an economy in turmoil, we need a steady hand more than ever. Joe Biden has the experience, the tenacity and the empathy to lead in a crisis and the hope to bring us together and steer us toward brighter days ahead.”

Brown of Cleveland, is the top elected Democrat in Ohio and explored running for president last year before choosing not to run.

While in Youngstown on Feb. 24, Brown said he wasn’t surprised that Biden was struggling in the early states at the time against U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Since then, Biden has become the clear Democratic presidential front-runner.

“Joe has not had success in his other presidential races, and this time he’s not been able to cut through and show the contrast between him and Bernie or him and anybody else,” Brown said at the time.

Asked about Biden’s chances in February, Brown said: “I think it’s still possible. I said back six months ago that I thought that Biden wouldn’t be the nominee. But you can always bet the field.”

Dan Lusheck, President Donald Trump’s Ohio campaign press secretary, pointed to those comments by Brown.

“Sherrod Brown’s endorsement of Joe Biden is nothing more than the unenthusiastic backing of a terrible candidate that not only does not represent Ohio’s values, but also promises to hike taxes and cripple the economy,” Lusheck said.

Shortly after being re-elected to a third six-year term in the Senate in November 2018, Brown began exploring a possible presidential bid. He visited early presidential primary / caucus states, but decided in March 2019 that he wouldn’t run for president.

Brown has said that whoever the Democratic nominee is, that person would beat Trump, a Republican.

Biden has captured the support of most of the prominent Ohio Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, who unsuccessfully ran for president.

dskolnick@tribtoday.com