Pluribus AI 2026 Election

2026 Midterms · U.S. Senate · Ohio Toss-up

Ohio — U.S. Senate (special)

Portrait of Sherrod Brown

Democratic

Sherrod Brown

Portrait of Jon Husted

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).

01

Economy and Taxes

high salience

Brown opposes corporate tax breaks and criticizes Republican tariffs as cost-drivers, whereas Husted champions conservative tax cuts and eliminating taxes on tips and overtime.

Sherrod Brown No documented position in our sources
Jon Husted No documented position in our sources
02

Healthcare and Prescription Drugs

high salience

Brown supports expanding ACA subsidies, lowering Medicare eligibility, and capping insulin costs, while Husted voted against permanently extending expanded health insurance premium tax credits.

Sherrod Brown No documented position in our sources
Jon Husted No documented position in our sources
03

Immigration and Border Security

high salience

Husted prioritizes border agent surges and strict illegal immigration enforcement, whereas Brown focuses specifically on interdicting synthetic opioids at the border.

Sherrod Brown No documented position in our sources
Jon Husted No documented position in our sources
04

Elections and Voting Policy

medium salience
Sherrod Brown No documented position in our sources
Jon Husted No documented position in our sources
05

International Trade and Manufacturing

medium salience

Brown 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.

Sherrod Brown No documented position in our sources
Jon Husted No documented position in our sources
06

Veterans and Military Affairs

medium salience

Brown co-authored major bipartisan legislation expanding healthcare for toxic burn pit exposure, while Husted supported federal defense authorization and military construction appropriations.

Sherrod Brown No documented position in our sources
Jon Husted No documented position in our sources
07

Government Integrity and Reform

medium salience

Brown campaigns on banning congressional stock trading and curbing corporate influence, whereas Husted supported unanimous consent passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

Sherrod Brown No documented position in our sources
Jon Husted No documented position in our sources
08

Agriculture and Rural Communities

medium salience

Brown highlights his legislative work on the Senate Agriculture Committee and rural broadband funding, while Husted holds the endorsement of the Ohio Cattlemen's Association.

Sherrod Brown No documented position in our sources
Jon Husted No documented position in our sources
09

Education and Workforce Development

low salience

Husted prioritizes career-technical education to avoid college debt, whereas Brown advocates for student loan refinancing and increased federal funding for public K-12 schools.

Sherrod Brown No documented position in our sources
Jon Husted No documented position in our sources
10

Environment and Energy

low salience

Brown actively champions the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and clean energy investments, while Husted serves on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

Sherrod Brown No documented position in our sources
Jon Husted No documented position in our sources