Sherrod Brown

US Congressman Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Ohio, is one of Taiwan's most steadfast supporters in the US government. He is one of the founders and co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus. Here is his statement about Former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui visiting America in October 2005:

Taiwan is a beacon of democracy and freedom in the Pacific. It is my hope Taiwan will continue to shine despite the continued threats across the Strait from China.


I hope in the near future all restrictions on high-level visits from Taiwan would be lifted, so that Members of Congress will be able to welcome the current president of Taiwan to DC as well.


It is important these visits take place so that a balanced understanding of both sides of the Taiwan Strait will be directly available to Congress, the Administration, and the American public.


Congress and the American people remain unequivocally committed in their support for the people of Taiwan.


The Taiwanese should be praised for their continued commitment to freedom, human rights and democracy.

Sherrod is a self-avowed progressive. See here and here. He is also running for US Senate, and is in striking distance; actually he has been ahead in the polls and the incumbent, Mike DeWine is very unpopular in Ohio.

See also MoveOn's endorsement:

Sherrod Brown is a progressive champion. During his career in the House of Representatives he successfully fought to lower the cost of prescription drugs, led the fight for fair trade policies that create good paying jobs and opposed the war in Iraq from the very beginning while working to make sure the troops receive the body armor and health care they need. Now Brown is leading in the polls in his challenge to entrenched Republican incumbent Mike DeWine for the U.S. Senate. DeWine has been a rubber-stamp for the Bush administration on issue after issue. His campaign is funded by the oil companies, pharmaceutical companies and lobbyists whose agenda he supports. National Republicans are pouring millions into Ohio to try to erase Brown’s lead. We can’t let them get away with that. Please support progressive champion Sherrod Brown.

If Sherrod wins this race, it will be a win for Taiwan, and for progressive values in general. Republicans definitely do not have a monopoly on the "friends of Taiwan" caucus in America.