Jon Husted and Sherrod Brown in Ohio U.S. Senate race 2026
Ohio Senate Race 2026: What’s at Stake
Ohio voters are preparing for a consequential U.S. Senate special election, as Republican Senator Jon Husted moves to retain the seat he was appointed to, while Democrat Sherrod Brown seeks a return after his 2024 defeat.
Husted officially entered the race on December 12, marking his first statewide Senate campaign. He has served in the Senate since January 2025, following his appointment by Governor Mike DeWine to replace J.D. Vance, who resigned after becoming vice president following President Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory.
State law requires Husted to stand for election in 2026 to finish the remainder of Vance’s term, which expires in 2028. The winner of this year’s race will need to run again in 2028 to secure a full six-year term.
Brown, a longtime Democratic figure in Ohio politics, announced in August that he plans to mount a political comeback. Although he had not formally filed as of January 1, the former senator who served three terms is widely expected to be the Democratic nominee. Brown narrowly lost reelection in 2024 to Republican Bernie Moreno in one of the most expensive Senate races in U.S. history.
The matchup highlights Ohio’s evolving political landscape. While the state has leaned Republican in recent presidential elections supporting Trump in both 2020 and 2024—statewide races remain competitive. Republicans currently control every statewide executive office.
Brown has said he initially intended to step away from politics but reconsidered as debates over the economy, healthcare costs, wages, and trade intensified. He argues Ohio needs stronger Senate representation for workers and middle-class families.
Husted has moved swiftly to unify Republican support. He launched his campaign early and secured a high-profile endorsement from Trump, along with backing from national conservative organizations. A veteran of Ohio politics for more than two decades, Husted has previously served as lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and speaker of the Ohio House.
Campaign finance reports show both candidates entering the race with significant resources. Brown raised approximately $8 million, largely through small-dollar donations, while Husted reported $3.7 million in a single quarter, which his campaign described as a record-setting amount for a Republican Senate candidate in Ohio at that stage.
Recent polling indicates a tight race. An October Bowling Green State University survey found the candidates essentially tied, with Brown holding a slim 49% to 48% lead, well within the margin of error.
While several lesser-known candidates have entered the Democratic primary, Brown remains the clear frontrunner. A candidate from the Party for Socialism and Liberation has also declared. On the Republican side, no major challenger has emerged against Husted.
2 Shot at New Year’s Eve Party on South Hamilton Road in Columbus
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