2026 Midterms · U.S. Senate · Ohio Toss-up
Ohio — U.S. Senate (special)
Democratic
Sherrod Brown
Republican
Jon Husted
Incumbent
The 2026 Ohio U.S. Senate special election features appointed Republican incumbent Jon Husted facing former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown to fill the remaining two years of the term originally won by J.D. Vance in 2022. Husted, a former Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the Ohio House, was appointed in January 2025, while Brown served in the Senate from 2007 until his defeat in 2024. The race hinges on competing economic visions, tax policy, prescription drug costs, border security, trade, and election administration. Major handicappers rate the contest between a 'Toss-up' (Cook Political Report) and 'Lean Republican'/'Tilt Republican' (Sabato's Crystal Ball, Inside Elections).
Economy and Taxes
high salienceBrown opposes corporate tax breaks and criticizes Republican tariffs as cost-drivers, whereas Husted champions conservative tax cuts and eliminating taxes on tips and overtime.
Healthcare and Prescription Drugs
high salienceBrown supports expanding ACA subsidies, lowering Medicare eligibility, and capping insulin costs, while Husted voted against permanently extending expanded health insurance premium tax credits.
Immigration and Border Security
high salienceHusted prioritizes border agent surges and strict illegal immigration enforcement, whereas Brown focuses specifically on interdicting synthetic opioids at the border.
Elections and Voting Policy
medium salienceInternational Trade and Manufacturing
medium salienceBrown highlights a decades-long voting record against multi-lateral trade agreements like NAFTA and TPP, while Husted emphasizes confronting Chinese technology theft and attracting economic development.
Veterans and Military Affairs
medium salienceBrown co-authored major bipartisan legislation expanding healthcare for toxic burn pit exposure, while Husted supported federal defense authorization and military construction appropriations.
Government Integrity and Reform
medium salienceBrown campaigns on banning congressional stock trading and curbing corporate influence, whereas Husted supported unanimous consent passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Agriculture and Rural Communities
medium salienceBrown highlights his legislative work on the Senate Agriculture Committee and rural broadband funding, while Husted holds the endorsement of the Ohio Cattlemen's Association.
Education and Workforce Development
low salienceHusted prioritizes career-technical education to avoid college debt, whereas Brown advocates for student loan refinancing and increased federal funding for public K-12 schools.
Environment and Energy
low salienceBrown actively champions the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and clean energy investments, while Husted serves on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.