Executive Summary
Senator Sherrod Brown’s estimated net worth ranges from the low hundreds of thousands to approximately $822,000 as of 2023. OpenSecrets estimated his net worth at $263,005 in both 2017 and 2018, while QuiverQuant provided a more recent estimate of $822,000 in 2023. These figures represent estimates derived from mandatory financial disclosure forms, not precise valuations.
Sherrod Brown Net Worth by Year
The following table shows Senator Brown’s estimated net worth across different years and sources:
| Year | Source | Estimated Net Worth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Ballotpedia | $639,003.50 | Single value |
| 2016 | OpenSecrets | $598,502 | Single value |
| 2017 | OpenSecrets | $263,005 | Single value |
| 2018 | OpenSecrets | $263,005 | Single value (midpoint) |
| 2018 | OpenSecrets | -$163,988 to $689,998 | Range |
| 2023 | QuiverQuant | $822,000 | Current estimate |
Sherrod Brown’s Assets (2023)
According to QuiverQuant’s analysis of his 2023 filings, Senator Brown’s significant assets include:
| Asset Type | Asset Name | Reported Value Range | Owner | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual Funds | AADAX – Invesco Select Risk Growth Investor Fund Class | $250,001 – $500,000 | Spouse | QuiverQuant |
| Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit Pension Plan | Ohio Public Employee Retirement System | $100,001 – $250,000 | Self | QuiverQuant |
| Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit Pension Plan | State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio | $100,001 – $250,000 | Spouse | QuiverQuant |
| Bank Deposit | Huntington Bank | $15,001 – $50,000 | Self | QuiverQuant |
| Bank Deposit | Huntington National Bank | $15,001 – $50,000 | Joint | QuiverQuant |
| Bank Deposit | Congressional Federal Credit Union | $1,001 – $15,000 | Self | QuiverQuant |
| Bank Deposit | Northwest Bank | $1,001 – $15,000 | Self | QuiverQuant |
| Bank Deposit | Plain Dealer Credit Union | $1,001 – $15,000 | Spouse | QuiverQuant |
| Mutual Funds | TLWIX – Tiaa-Cref Lifecycle Index 2020 Fund Instl | $1,001 – $15,000 | Spouse | QuiverQuant |
Primary Asset Categories
Pension Plans: The largest portion of Brown’s wealth comes from state pension systems, including the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System and State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio.
Mutual Funds: Conservative investment approach with holdings in Invesco Select Risk Growth Investor Fund and TIAA-CREF Lifecycle funds.
Bank Deposits: Multiple bank accounts across various institutions including Huntington Bank, Congressional Federal Credit Union, and regional banks.
Sherrod Brown’s Liabilities
For 2018, Senator Brown’s estimated liabilities ranged from $400,004 to $1,000,000 according to OpenSecrets data.
| Year | Source | Estimated Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | OpenSecrets | $400,004 to $1,000,000 |
Income Sources
Senatorial Salary
As a U.S. Senator, Sherrod Brown receives an annual salary of $174,000, which has been the standard senatorial salary since 2009.
Additional Income
- Speaking fees (reported $1,000 in 2011)
- Book agreement income
- Previous employment as Ohio Secretary of State (1983-1991)
- Former faculty member at Ohio State University at Mansfield (1979-1981)
Campaign Finance vs Personal Net Worth
It’s crucial to distinguish between Senator Brown’s personal net worth and his campaign finances:
Campaign Finance Summary (2024 Cycle)
| Category | Amount | Last Report Date |
|---|---|---|
| Total Raised | $100,378,888 | 12/31/2024 |
| Total Spent | $101,355,903 | 12/31/2024 |
| Cash on Hand | $394,230 | 12/31/2024 |
Career Campaign Totals
- Total Raised: Over $103 million
- Total Spent: Over $104 million
This represents a stark contrast between his personal net worth (under $1 million) and campaign finances (exceeding $100 million).
Net Worth Calculation Methodology
OpenSecrets Approach
- Sums all reported assets
- Subtracts all reported liabilities
- Uses broad value ranges from disclosure forms
- Includes spousal assets and liabilities
- Calculates minimum and maximum possible values
QuiverQuant Approach
- Estimates holdings based on disclosed trades and annual filings
- Updates publicly traded holdings hourly
- Updates private holdings annually
- Excludes primary residence value
- Excludes outstanding liabilities
Limitations of Public Disclosure Data
Key Exclusions
- Primary Residence: Personal homes not producing income aren’t reported
- Federal Retirement Accounts: Federal government retirement accounts excluded
- Broad Value Ranges: Assets reported in wide ranges, not precise figures
- No Upper Limits: Highest categories have no defined ceiling
- Spouse’s Income Amount: Source listed but not specific amounts
Quality of Disclosure
OpenSecrets notes that Brown corrected his financial disclosure forms to include his wife’s pension money, illustrating the dynamic nature of these disclosures.
Investment Strategy Analysis
Senator Brown’s disclosed assets reveal a conservative, long-term investment approach:
- Risk Profile: Conservative with focus on stable investments
- Trading Activity: QuiverQuant reports “0 Total Trades” and “$0 Trade Volume”
- Asset Allocation: Heavy emphasis on pension plans and mutual funds
- Geographic Focus: Ohio-based financial institutions and state pension systems
Ranking Among Senators
Based on OpenSecrets data:
- 2018: Ranked 73rd in Senate by wealth
- 2017: Ranked 75th in Senate by wealth
Conclusion
Senator Sherrod Brown’s estimated net worth of approximately $822,000 (as of 2023) reflects a conservative financial profile built primarily through public service career benefits and traditional investments. His wealth composition emphasizes state pension systems, mutual funds, and bank deposits rather than high-risk investments or extensive stock trading.
The significant disparity between his personal net worth and campaign finance operations ($100+ million) underscores the distinction between personal wealth and political financial influence. Understanding these figures requires acknowledging the inherent limitations of public disclosure requirements, which likely understate his true financial position due to excluded assets like primary residence and federal retirement accounts.
Note: All figures are estimates based on publicly available financial disclosure forms. Actual net worth may vary due to disclosure limitations and excluded assets.