Sherrod Brown to face Jon Husted in high-stakes Ohio Senate race
Haley BeMiller- The Ohio U.S. Senate race will feature Democrat Sherrod Brown against Republican Jon Husted.
- The race is attracting significant national attention and millions in ad spending from outside groups.
- Recent polling indicates a tight race, with the Cook Political Report labeling it a toss-up.
The matchup for Ohio's high-stakes U.S. Senate race is officially set.
Former Sen. Sherrod Brown defeated Ron Kincaid in the May 5 Democratic primary with nearly 90% of the vote, according to unofficial election results. Brown will face Sen. Jon Husted in November as Husted defends the seat previously held by Vice President JD Vance.
Libertarian William Redpath will also be on the Nov. 3 ballot.
“Ohioans know the system is rigged against them, and they know Jon Husted is making it worse," Brown said in a statement. "Families are seeing more money going out the door, and not enough coming in. Hardworking Ohioans deserve a leader in the Senate who will cut taxes on working people, cap how much utility companies can increase electricity rates, make it illegal for drug companies to charge Americans more than other countries and ban congressional stock trading."
Unlike Ohio's past two U.S. Senate races, a Brown-Husted matchup pits experienced elected officials against each other. Brown spent decades in politics, from Columbus to Washington, before Sen. Bernie Moreno ousted him in 2024. Husted previously served as lieutenant governor, secretary of state and Ohio House speaker.
The Husted and Brown campaigns dropped their first television ads days before the primary. The Brown spot highlights donations to Husted from Les Wexner, a former close associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Husted said in February that he would give the money to charity.
"Over the next six months, Ohioans will hear a lot from Sherrod Brown about his so-called solutions," said Drew Thompson, Husted's campaign manager. "The truth is, after 32 years in Washington, he created the very problems he now blames others for. His record is indefensible. That's why he can’t talk about it."
Ohio Senate race attracts money, national attention
Ohio's Senate race is already attracting national attention. The GOP Senate Leadership Fund announced $79 million in ad spending to help Husted, the largest investment by the organization so far. The conservative Sentinel Action Fund endorsed Husted and plans to spend more than $8 million.
Democrats need to flip at least four seats to win control of the Senate, and they think Brown is their best shot in Ohio despite his 2024 loss. The party also hopes to capitalize on President Donald Trump's low approval ratings and frustration over the cost of living.
The Democratic Senate Majority PAC announced May 5 that it will invest $40 million to boost Brown and oppose Husted.
"Every time Jon Husted had a choice between Ohio families and Donald Trump, he chose Trump," said Lauren French, a spokesperson for the PAC. "The result: Prices are up, health care is on the chopping block and corporations are cashing in. That's the Husted record."
The race is shaping up to be a tough fight. The Cook Political Report labeled it a tossup, and Brown and Husted were statistically tied in a recent poll from Bowling Green State University.
State government reporter Haley BeMiller can be reached at [email protected] or @haleybemiller on X.