U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said he endorsed U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan for an open Senate seat because his fellow Democrat is “not in this for himself or corporate special interests.”

Brown, D-Cleveland, said of Ryan: “He has dedicated his life to fighting for Ohioans and their jobs and their wages and their communities. It’s why Ohioans trust Tim to take on the biggest challenges we-re facing.”

Brown, the highest-ranking elected Democrat in the state, made the endorsement announcement Wednesday in Cleveland. He was the first signature on Ryan’s nominating petition for the Senate seat.

Ryan, D-Howland, said he was “honored” to have Brown’s endorsement.

Ryan has now been endorsed by the elected Democrats to Congress in Ohio, 20 labor unions and the Ohio AFL-CIO as well as more than 200 current and former elected officials and Democratic leaders in the state.

Ryan is running for the seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Terrace Park, who isn’t seeking re-election next year.