Husted Leads Brown by Less Than a Point in Ohio Senate Race
Recent polls show Jon Husted narrowly ahead of Sherrod Brown in Ohio’s 2026 Senate race.
2 min read
Republican Sen. Jon Husted is leading Democrat Sherrod Brown by less than a point in Ohio’s 2026 U.S. Senate race, according to recent polls. The latest survey, conducted by ActiVote, shows Husted at 50.2% and Brown at 49.8%, a 0.4-point edge among 400 likely voters. The poll, conducted between September 26 and October 18, has a margin of error of 4.9 points, placing the race within a tight range.
Key Demographics Influence the Race
ActiVote’s analysis highlights that the race is decided in the center of the electorate, where Husted leads 56% to 44%. Husted holds an advantage among rural voters, men, white voters, those aged 30 to 64, and voters with no more than a high school education. Conversely, Brown leads among suburban and urban voters, women, black voters, the youngest and oldest voters, and the college-educated. The pollster notes that subgroup figures have a larger expected error than the topline numbers, and Ohio does not register voters by party.
Consistent Trends Across Polls
A second survey, citing Rasmussen Reports, showed Husted at 49% and Brown at 47% among likely voters, indicating a five-point shift toward the Republican from an earlier result. This trend contrasts with a run of recent surveys that gave Brown the advantage. A CNN poll from October 8 showed Brown up 49% to 43%, while a New York Times/Siena College poll had Brown ahead 49 to 46. A Marist poll put him up eight points, 51 to 43.
Background on the Candidates
Brown is running to reclaim the seat he lost to Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) in 2024. Husted does not hold the seat by election; instead, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine appointed him last year to fill the vacancy created when Vice President JD Vance took office. Trump, who won Ohio by about 11 points in 2024, has endorsed Husted and stumped for him this month. The National Republican Senatorial Committee calls Brown a “two-time loser.”
Brown’s campaign manager, Patrick Eisenhauer, has said Husted is “for sale,” suggesting concerns about Husted’s loyalty or potential for political maneuvering. As the race tightens, both candidates are focusing on key demographics and regional support to secure the Senate seat.
Source: Breitbart
