A video showing former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown commenting on the racial composition of U.S. Capitol cleaning staff has drawn criticism as he campaigns to regain his seat in the 2026 Senate election.
The footage, first reported by the Daily Mail on May 21, 2026, features Brown observing that the Capitol building appears one way during daytime operations and another at night.
Video Content
In the clip, Brown says the Capitol looks “pretty white” during the day but becomes “more black and brown” at night when the cleaning people come in. The remarks refer to custodial workers who maintain the building after legislative sessions end.
The video matches the style and content of a speech Brown gave in January 2022. In that earlier address honoring Capitol workers after the January 6, 2021, riot, he stated: “Domestic terrorists destroyed. Black and brown custodians cleaned up.”
Brown, 73, represented Ohio in the Senate from 2007 until his defeat in 2024. He won the Democratic primary for the 2026 special Senate election on May 5 with nearly 90 percent of the vote and will face Republican incumbent Sen. Jon Husted in November.
Also Read: Explosive Backlash Erupts as Democrats, Republicans Attack Trump’s $1.8B ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Fund
Brown has raised more than $24 million for his campaign so far. He has long focused on issues such as protecting manufacturing jobs, opposing free trade deals, and expanding Social Security and Medicare.
Reaction
The U.S. Capitol’s daytime workforce includes members of Congress, staff, and visitors, who are predominantly white. Many evening custodial positions are held by Black and Hispanic workers, a demographic pattern common in service industries in Washington, D.C.
Republicans criticized the language as divisive. They said it shows Brown views everyday workers through a racial lens rather than focusing on wages, working conditions, or economic issues important to Ohio voters.
Brown has not issued a public response to the leaked video as of May 22. His campaign has emphasized economic populism and support for working families during the current race.
Also Read: Democrats Gain Republican Support in Push to End Trump’s Iran War
Ohio voters elected Brown three times previously, but the state has moved toward Republicans in recent federal elections. President Donald Trump carried Ohio in 2024, and Republicans gained the Senate seat Brown once held.
Why This Matters
The video arrives during a competitive special election that could help decide Senate control. Ohio is a swing state that has trended Republican, and working-class voters of all races form a key part of the electorate.
Brown’s bid tests whether his traditional Democratic message still connects in a changed political environment. The controversy gives Republicans a direct point of attack as they defend the seat held by Jon Husted.
