2026 United States Senate special election in Ohio
 | |||||||||||
November 3, 2026
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
.jpg)
| Elections in Ohio |
|---|
 |
The 2026 United States Senate special election in Ohio will be held on November 3, 2026, following the election of Senator JD Vance as vice president of the United States, as he resigned from the Senate on January 10, 2025, and assumed the vice presidency on January 20, 2025.
According to Ohio law, if a U.S. Senate seat becomes vacant, the governor appoints a replacement who serves until December 15 following the next regularly scheduled statewide election that occurs more than 180 days after the vacancy. A special election to fill the remainder of the term is then held concurrently with that regular state election, which in this case would be the one on November 3, 2026.[2][3] Governor Mike DeWine chose then-Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted to replace Vance in the Senate. Primary elections will be held on May 5, 2026.
This will be the first U.S. Senate special election in Ohio since 1954.
Background
[edit]After voting for President Barack Obama in both 2008 and 2012, Ohio has trended increasingly Republican in subsequent years and is now considered a moderately to strongly red state at the federal and state level. Republicans control all statewide offices, majorities in both chambers of the state legislature, and hold both Senate seats. Republicans also have a majority of the state's House delegation with ten seats compared to five for Democrats.[citation needed]
Republican nominee Donald Trump won Ohio in 2016 and 2020 by 8 percentage points, and in 2024 grew his margin to 11 percentage points.[4] Additionally, Republican JD Vance, now the vice president of the United States, defeated Democrat Tim Ryan in the 2022 U.S. Senate election by slightly over 6 points, while Republican Bernie Moreno defeated then-incumbent Sherrod Brown in the 2024 U.S. Senate election by slightly over 3.5 points.[5]
Interim appointment
[edit]Appointee
[edit]- Jon Husted, lieutenant governor of Ohio (2019–2025)[6]
Considered but not appointed
[edit]- Matt Dolan, former state senator from the 24th district (2017–2024) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022 and 2024[7]
- Frank LaRose, Ohio secretary of state (2019–present) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024[7]
- Vivek Ramaswamy, former CEO of Roivant Sciences (2014–2023) and candidate for president in 2024[7]
- Jane Timken, former chair of the Ohio Republican Party (2017–2021) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022[7]
Declined to be considered
[edit]- Mike DeWine, governor of Ohio (2019–present) and former U.S. senator (1995–2007)[8]
- Dave Yost, Ohio attorney general (2019–present)[9] (ran for governor)[10]
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Presumptive nominee
[edit]- Jon Husted, incumbent U.S. senator (2025–present)[11]
Endorsements
[edit]Jon Husted
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, 45th and 47th president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[12]
- U.S. senators
- Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming (2021–present)[13]
- Bernie Moreno, Ohio (2025–present)[14]
- Tim Scott, South Carolina (2013–present)[14]
- U.S. representatives
- Bob Latta, OH-05 (2007–present)[15]
- Jim Jordan, OH-04 (2007–present)[14]
- David Taylor, OH-02 (2025–present)[16]
- Statewide officials
- Frank LaRose, secretary of state of Ohio (2019–present)[14]
- Dave Yost, attorney general of Ohio (2019–present)[17]
- State legislators
- Individuals
- Vivek Ramaswamy, founder of Roivant Sciences and 2026 gubernatorial candidate[19]
- Labor unions
- Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council[20]
- International Brotherhood of Boilermakers[21]
- International Union of Operating Engineers Locals 18 & 66[22][23]
- National Border Patrol Council[24]
- Northwest Ohio Building & Construction Trades Council[25]
- Organizations
- ClearPath Foundation[26]
- Ohio Chamber of Commerce[27]
- Ohio Cattlemen's Association[28]
- Party chapters
- Political parties
Fundraising
[edit]| Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Jon Husted (R) | $7,348,700 | $1,385,262 | $5,963,439 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[32] | |||
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Sherrod Brown, former U.S. senator (2007–2025)[33]
- Ron Kincaid, IT professional and Special Olympics coach[34]
Withdrawn
[edit]- Fred Ode, venture capital executive[35]
Declined
[edit]- Shontel Brown, U.S. representative from Ohio's 11th congressional district (2021–present) (running for re-election)[36]
- Greg Landsman, U.S. representative from Ohio's 1st congressional district (2023–present) (running for re-election)[37]
- Tim Ryan, former U.S. representative from Ohio's 13th congressional district (2003–2023), nominee for U.S. Senate in 2022, and candidate for president in 2020[38]
- Emilia Sykes, U.S. representative from Ohio's 13th congressional district (2023–present) (running for re-election)[36]
- Casey Weinstein, state senator from the 28th district (2025–present)[39]
Endorsements
[edit]Sherrod Brown
- Labor unions
- Ohio AFL-CIO[40]
- Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters[22]
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers[41]
- International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers[42]
- International Union of Painters and Allied Trades[b][43]
- Ohio Federation of Teachers[44]
- Ohio State Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters[45]
- United Association[46]
- United Auto Workers[47]
- United Steelworkers[48]
- Organizations
Fundraising
[edit]| Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Sherrod Brown (D) | $14,356,451 | $4,456,809 | $9,899,642 |
| Ron Kincaid (D) | $28,445 | $18,523 | $9,935 |
| Chris Volpe (D) | $3,706 | $2,289 | $1,417 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[32] | |||
Libertarian primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Jeffrey Kanter[58]
- Bill Redpath, former Libertarian National Committee chair and nominee for 2022 United States Senate election in Illinois[59]
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[60] | Lean R | January 12, 2026 |
| The Cook Political Report[61] | Lean R | January 12, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[62] | Lean R | January 29, 2026 |
| Race To The WH[63] | Tossup | February 2, 2026 |
Polling
[edit]Jon Husted vs. Sherrod Brown
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Jon Husted (R) |
Sherrod Brown (D) |
Other/ |
Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race to the WH[64] | February 14 – December 11, 2025 | February 4, 2026 | 48.6% | 46.5% | 4.9% | Husted +2.1% |
| RealClearPolitics[65] | October 2 – December 8, 2025 | December 11, 2025 | 48.5% | 47.5% | 4% | Husted +1% |
| Average | 48.6% | 47.0% | 4.4% | Husted +1.6% | ||
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Jon Husted (R) |
Sherrod Brown (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson College[66] | December 6–8, 2025 | 850 (RV) | ± 3.3% | 49% | 46% | – | 5% |
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[67] | October 2–14, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.5% | 48% | 49% | 3%[e] | – |
| Hart Research (D)[68][f] | September 19–22, 2025 | 800 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 45% | 48% | – | 7% |
| Emerson College[69] | August 18–19, 2025 | 1,000 (RV) | ± 3% | 50% | 44% | – | 7% |
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[70] | April 18–24, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.1% | 49% | 46% | 5%[g] | – |
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[71] | February 14–21, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 47% | 41% | – | 12% |
Hypothetical polling
Jon Husted vs. Tim Ryan
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Jon Husted (R) |
Tim Ryan (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[70] | April 18–24, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.1% | 50% | 44% | 6%[h] | – |
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[71] | February 14–21, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 45% | 38% | – | 17% |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ JD Vance was elected vice president of the United States in the 2024 presidential election. He resigned his Senate seat on January 10, 2025.[1] Governor Mike DeWine appointed Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted as an interim successor.
- ^ IUPAT International issued the endorsement with the support of IUPAT District Council 6 and IUPAT District Council 53.
- ^ Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
- ^ a b Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ^ "Someone else" with 3%
- ^ Poll sponsored by the Ohio Federation of Teachers, which supports Brown
- ^ "Someone else" with 5%
- ^ "Someone else" with 6%
References
[edit]- ^ Fahmy, Natalie; Rees, David (January 9, 2025). "Sen. J.D. Vance resigns ahead of vice presidential inauguration". WCMH-TV. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Burd, Aaron (July 16, 2024). "How J.D. Vance's replacement in U.S. Senate will be picked if he becomes vice president". WCMH-TV.
- ^ "Filling vacancies in elective offices" (PDF). Ohio Secretary of State. p. 2. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ Schladen, Marty (November 6, 2024). "Trump wins Ohio for a third time". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ Evans, Nick (November 6, 2024). "Republican Bernie Moreno defeats incumbent Sherrod Brown for Ohio U.S. Senate seat • Ohio Capital Journal". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ Wren, Adam; Cai, Sophia (January 17, 2025). "DeWine passes over Ramaswamy, selects Jon Husted for Senate". Politico. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Staver, Anna (November 11, 2024). "Ohio Republican Sen. Matt Dolan seeking appointment to fill vacancy left by VP-elect JD Vance". WOSU-TV. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
Other names reportedly on DeWine's list include Secretary of State Frank LaRose, former Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
- ^ Trau, Morgan (July 24, 2024). "Here's what qualities Gov. Mike DeWine wants to see in his possible U.S. Senate appointment". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine chuckled as he denied interest in appointing himself to the open Senate seat
- ^ Kronenberg, Alan (September 5, 2024). "Who Would Take Over for JD Vance or Tim Walz, and Does it Matter?". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ Andrews, Melissa (December 4, 2024). "Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost says he will run for Governor". WTOL. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
- ^ Smyth, Julie Carr (April 9, 2025). "Trump favorite Jon Husted launches 2026 U.S. Senate campaign in Ohio". Associated Press. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
- ^ Taylor, Lydia (April 9, 2025). "Trump endorses Husted for 2026 Senate race". Spectrum News. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
- ^ Downs, Rebecca (August 20, 2025). "Wyoming GOP Senator Hails Ohio's Husted, Blasts Democrat Seeking Comeback as 'a Failure'". The Daily Signal. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Miller, Andrew Mark (August 22, 2025). "Republicans rally around GOP senator after ousted Dem jumps into high-profile Ohio race". Fox News. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ^ "U.S. Rep. Bob Latta endorses fellow Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted in 2026". Chronicle Telegram. January 23, 2026. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ^ "Ohio GOP congressman endorses fellow Republican Jon Husted for U.S. Senate". Chronicle Telegram. January 16, 2026. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
- ^ "Husted v. Brown: Ohio Republican gets major boost in race-to-replace JD Vance". WSYX. January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ^ "OH Senate Republican Caucus endorses Husted for US Senator". WFMJ. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
- ^ Jacobs, Chris (September 22, 2025). "U.S. Sen. Husted, gubernatorial candidate Ramaswamy endorse each other in key Ohio races". WLWT. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "2026 U.S. Senate race: United Steelworkers endorses Sherrod Brown, Cleveland Building & Construction Trades Council endorses Jon Husted". The Chronicle-Telegram. December 15, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ^ Sivak, David (January 27, 2026). "Sherrod Brown loses fourth union endorsement to Jon Husted". Washington Examiner. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ^ a b Gomez, Henry J. (September 12, 2025). "Unions place early bets on Republicans in key Ohio races". NBC News. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
- ^ Nichols, Hans (October 15, 2025). "Scoop: Jon Husted snatches third union endorsement from Sherrod Brown". Axios.
- ^ "Week in review: October 26, 2025". The Ohio Society of CPAs. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
- ^ "Northwest Ohio trades council endorses Husted for Senate". The Blade. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
- ^ "2026 GOP Clean Energy Leaders". ClearPath Action Fund. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ^ Gomez, Henry J.; Dixon, Matt (July 21, 2025). "Vance's and Marco Rubio's Senate successors avoid GOP primary drama". NBC News. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
- ^ "Ohio Cattlemen's Association endorses Husted - Local News". WFIN. February 3, 2026. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ^ "Pike County GOP endorses Jon Husted". News Watchman. August 8, 2025. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
- ^ "Warren County Republican Party Officially Endorses Ramaswamy for Governor and Husted for U.S. Senate in 2026". Warren County Post. August 19, 2025. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ^ "Ohio Republican Party endorses Husted". The Highland County Press. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ a b "2026 Election United States Senate – Ohio". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ^ Carr Smyth, Julie (August 18, 2025). "Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown makes it official. He'll vie to unseat Trump-backed Sen. Jon Husted". Associated Press. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ^ Rees, David (September 5, 2025). "Meet the lesser-known candidates in Ohio's 2026 U.S. Senate race". FOX 8 News. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ Laura Hancock, cleveland com (November 7, 2025). "Lorain County entrepreneur Fred Ode ends 2026 Senate campaign against Sherrod Brown". cleveland. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
- ^ a b Solender, Andrew (December 12, 2024). "GOP Rep. Ciscomani passes on run for Arizona governor". Axios. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
Reps. Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio) and Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) won't run for Vice President-elect JD Vance's Senate seat, according to Sykes' office and a statement from Brown.
- ^ Solender, Andrew (April 10, 2025). "A growing wave of House members is grasping for higher office". Axios. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), previously floated as a potential challenger to Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio), told Axios he is 'staying put' in the House.
- ^ Roarty, Alex (April 29, 2025). "Democrats' Senate Majority Hopes Hinge on Candidates Who Are Still Undecided". NOTUS. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ Skolnick, David (June 20, 2025). "Ohio Dems in holding pattern". Tribune Chronicle. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
- ^ Leonardi, Anthony (February 16, 2026). "Sherrod Brown receives U.S. Senate endorsement from Ohio AFL-CIO". WFMJ. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ Skolnick, David (August 19, 2025). "Sherrod Brown to challenge U.S. Sen. Jon Husted". The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ^ "Sherrod Brown Earns IFPTE's Endorsement for U.S. Senate". ifpte.org. August 20, 2025. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
- ^ "IUPAT Endorses Sherrod Brown for United States Senate". IUPAT. October 7, 2025. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
- ^ "Ohio Federation of Teachers endorses Sherrod Brown for 2026 Senate election". WSYX ABC 6. October 8, 2025. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
- ^ "Some Ohio unions split endorsements between Ramaswamy, Brown". Retrieved January 8, 2026.
- ^ "Plumbers and Pipefitters Union (UA) Endorses Sherrod Brown for Senate". uagetinvolved.org. August 26, 2025. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
- ^ "UAW endorses Democrat Sherrod Brown in 2026 U.S. Senate special election". The Chronicle-Telegram. November 3, 2025. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
- ^ "United Steelworkers endorse Sherrod Brown for U.S. Senate". Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ^ "ECU Endorses Sherrod Brown for OH-SEN". endcitizensunited.org. August 25, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
- ^ "GIFFORDS endorses Sherrod Brown in comeback bid for US Senate in Ohio". giffords.org. September 3, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
- ^ "🚨Key Endorsements for 2025 & 2026🚨". Jewish Democratic Council of America. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
- ^ "Candidates". Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs.
- ^ Schneck, Ken; Comeriato, H.L. (December 19, 2025). "Human Rights Campaign endorses Sherrod Brown for Ohio U.S. Senate seat". The Buckeye Flame. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ^ "LCV Action Fund Endorses Sherrod Brown for U.S. Senate". www.lcv.org. November 10, 2025. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ "Planned Parenthood Action Fund rolls out first Senate endorsements ahead of November midterms". Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Dixon, Brian (August 13, 2025). "Population Connection Action Fund Endorses Sherrod Brown for Senate". populationconnectionaction.org. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
- ^ Santaliz, Kate (December 9, 2025). "Abortion rights group backs Janet Mills and others in first 2026 Senate endorsements". Axios. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
- ^ Henry, Megan (February 6, 2026). "Here are the candidates running for Ohio statewide office in 2026 • Ohio Capital Journal". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ^ Pelzer, Jeremy (January 6, 2026). "Ohio Libertarians, state's lone third party, lining up candidates for top 2026 races". Cleveland.com. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate Polling". Race to the White House. Retrieved November 8, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Ohio Senate Special Election - Husted vs. Brown". RealClearPolitics.com. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- ^ "Ohio 2026 Poll: Democrats Make Gains in Races for Governor and US Senate". Emerson College Polling. December 11, 2025. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- ^ "October 2025 Poll Results". BGSU Poll. October 19, 2025. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
- ^ "Survey on Ohio 2026 Senate Race" (PDF). Hart Research. November 11, 2025. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ^ "Ohio 2026 Poll: Senator Husted Starts Matchup with Six-point Lead Over Sherrod Brown". Emerson College Polling. August 21, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ a b Alexander, Robert; Miller, Melissa; Jackson, David; Boston, Joshua (April 29, 2025). "Survey of 800 Ohio Registered voters 18+, April 2025 Toplines". Bowling Green State University. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ a b Alexander, Robert; Miller, Melissa; Jackson, David; Boston, Joshua (March 5, 2024). "Survey of 800 Ohio Registered voters 18+, Feb 2025 Toplines". Bowling Green State University. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
External links
[edit]Official campaign websites