Fred Ode, an entrepreneur and philanthropist from Columbia Station in Lorain County, says he’s jumping in the Senate race to help save the country.

Former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown’s entry would give Democrats their top potential recruit, since Brown has been elected statewide five times in Ohio.

Democrats are making a play for Ohio in next year’s Senate race as former Sen. Sherrod Brown prepares an expected comeback attempt. The Buckeye State was once firmly purple, but has become increasingly red in the Trump era.