COLUMBUS, Ohio - Fred Ode, the Lorain County entrepreneur who faced Sherrod Brown in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, announced Friday he’s withdrawing from the race.

Ode, a 75-year-old political newcomer, said he was prepared to spend millions of his own money to fight Brown. He saw the race as a battle to save democracy, which he believes Republicans are weakening.

Brown is challenging U.S. Sen. Jon Husted next year.

“I jumped into this race, because I was angry and I didn’t see anyone stepping up,” Ode (pronounced “OH-dee”) said. “I’m still angry. Our democracy is under attack. Our legislature has abandoned its constitutional authority. Working people are getting crushed while corrupt elites run the show.”

Ode entered the race in mid-August, four days before Brown announced

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