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2026 United States Senate special election in Ohio

Updated: Wikipedia source

2026 United States Senate special election 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. 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 the one to this seat in 1954.

Infobox

Party
Republican

Tables

· Republican primary › Fundraising
Candidate
Candidate
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Candidate
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Raised
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Spent
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Cash on hand
Jon Husted (R)
Jon Husted (R)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Jon Husted (R)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$5,840,228
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$812,445
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$5,027,783
Source: Federal Election Commission
Source: Federal Election Commission
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Source: Federal Election Commission
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Jon Husted (R)
$5,840,228
$812,445
$5,027,783
Source: Federal Election Commission
· Democratic primary › Fundraising
Candidate
Candidate
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Candidate
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Raised
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Spent
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Cash on hand
Sherrod Brown (D)
Sherrod Brown (D)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Sherrod Brown (D)
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$7,022,464
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$1,076,575
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
$5,945,889
Source: Federal Election Commission
Source: Federal Election Commission
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Source: Federal Election Commission
Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2025
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Sherrod Brown (D)
$7,022,464
$1,076,575
$5,945,889
Source: Federal Election Commission
· General election › Predictions
Lean R
Lean R
Source
Inside Elections
Ranking
Lean R
As of
August 12, 2025
Lean R
Lean R
Source
The Cook Political Report
Ranking
Lean R
As of
October 14, 2025
Lean R
Lean R
Source
Sabato's Crystal Ball
Ranking
Lean R
As of
August 12, 2025
Tossup
Tossup
Source
Race To The WH
Ranking
Tossup
As of
October 20, 2025
Source
Ranking
As of
Inside Elections
Lean R
August 12, 2025
The Cook Political Report
Lean R
October 14, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball
Lean R
August 12, 2025
Race To The WH
Tossup
October 20, 2025
· General election › Polling
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
Poll source
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
Date(s)administered
October 2–14, 2025
Samplesize
800 (RV)
Marginof error
± 4.5%
JonHusted (R)
48%
SherrodBrown (D)
49%
Other
3%
Undecided
–
Emerson College
Emerson College
Poll source
Emerson College
Date(s)administered
August 18–19, 2025
Samplesize
1,000 (RV)
Marginof error
± 3%
JonHusted (R)
50%
SherrodBrown (D)
44%
Other
–
Undecided
7%
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
Poll source
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
Date(s)administered
April 18–24, 2025
Samplesize
800 (RV)
Marginof error
± 4.1%
JonHusted (R)
49%
SherrodBrown (D)
46%
Other
5%
Undecided
–
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
Poll source
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
Date(s)administered
February 14–21, 2025
Samplesize
800 (RV)
Marginof error
± 4.0%
JonHusted (R)
47%
SherrodBrown (D)
41%
Other
–
Undecided
12%
Poll source
Date(s)administered
Samplesize
Marginof error
JonHusted (R)
SherrodBrown (D)
Other
Undecided
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
October 2–14, 2025
800 (RV)
± 4.5%
48%
49%
3%
–
Emerson College
August 18–19, 2025
1,000 (RV)
± 3%
50%
44%
–
7%
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
April 18–24, 2025
800 (RV)
± 4.1%
49%
46%
5%
–
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
February 14–21, 2025
800 (RV)
± 4.0%
47%
41%
–
12%
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
Poll source
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
Date(s)administered
April 18–24, 2025
Samplesize
800 (RV)
Marginof error
± 4.1%
JonHusted (R)
50%
TimRyan (D)
44%
Other
6%
Undecided
–
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
Poll source
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
Date(s)administered
February 14–21, 2025
Samplesize
800 (RV)
Marginof error
± 4.0%
JonHusted (R)
45%
TimRyan (D)
38%
Other
–
Undecided
17%
Poll source
Date(s)administered
Samplesize
Marginof error
JonHusted (R)
TimRyan (D)
Other
Undecided
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
April 18–24, 2025
800 (RV)
± 4.1%
50%
44%
6%
–
Bowling Green State University/YouGov
February 14–21, 2025
800 (RV)
± 4.0%
45%
38%
–
17%

References

  1. JD Vance was elected vice president of the United States in the 2024 presidential election. He resigned his Senate seat
  2. Key:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear
  3. "Someone else" with 3%
  4. "Someone else" with 5%
  5. "Someone else" with 6%
  6. WCMH-TV
    https://www.nbc4i.com/news/politics/sen-j-d-vance-to-resign-ahead-of-vice-presidential-inauguration/amp/
  7. WCMH-TV
    https://www.nbc4i.com/news/your-local-election-hq/how-j-d-vances-replacement-in-u-s-senate-will-be-picked-if-he-becomes-vice-president/
  8. "Filling vacancies in elective offices"
    https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/elections/eoresources/general/fillingvacancies.pdf
  9. Ohio Capital Journal
    https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/11/05/trump-wins-ohio-for-a-third-time-associated-press-projects/
  10. Ohio Capital Journal
    https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/11/05/republican-bernie-moreno-defeats-incumbent-sherrod-brown-for-ohio-u-s-senate-seat-ap-projects/
  11. Politico
    https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/17/ohio-senate-seat-dewine-husted-ramaswamy-00198974
  12. WOSU-TV
    https://www.wosu.org/politics-government/2024-11-11/ohio-republican-sen-matt-dolan-seeking-appointment-to-fill-vacancy-left-by-vp-elect-jd-vance
  13. Ohio Capital Journal
    https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/07/24/heres-what-qualities-gov-mike-dewine-wants-to-see-in-his-possible-u-s-senate-appointment/
  14. U.S. News & World Report
    https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2024-09-05/who-would-take-over-for-jd-vance-or-tim-walz
  15. WTOL
    https://www.wtol.com/article/news/local/ohio/ohio-attorney-general-dave-yost-governor/512-50a73f31-fd75-4195-b7c8-8aa5191bf777
  16. Associated Press
    https://apnews.com/article/election-2025-senate-ohio-husted-trump-67ed124a587b2265aaba273b2d5f3f43
  17. docquery.fec.gov
    https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/S6OH00312/1864685/
  18. Spectrum News
    https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/cincinnati/news/2025/04/09/trump-endorses-husted-for-2026-senate-race
  19. The Daily Signal
    https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/08/20/wyoming-gop-senator-hails-ohios-husted-blasts-democrat-seeking-comeback-as-a-failure/
  20. WLWT
    https://www.wlwt.com/article/jon-husted-vivek-ramaswamy-ohio-announcement-governor/68008469
  21. The Highland County Press
    https://highlandcountypress.com/headlines/ohio-republican-party-endorses-husted
  22. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/vances-marco-rubios-senate-successors-avoid-gop-primary-drama-rcna219679
  23. Cleveland.com
    https://www.cleveland.com/open/2025/06/ohio-senate-wants-to-scrap-automatic-property-taxes-unless-voted-in-capitol-letter.html
  24. News Watchman
    https://www.newswatchman.com/news/pike-county-gop-endorses-jon-husted/article_9f5cabb6-f410-427c-a239-20b4e84e183d.html
  25. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/unions-place-early-bets-republicans-key-ohio-races-rcna230306
  26. Axios
    https://www.axios.com/2025/10/15/senate-brown-husted-ohio-unions
  27. The Blade
    https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2025/08/21/northwest-ohio-trades-council-endorses-husted-for-senate/stories/20250821100
  28. fec.gov
    https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/senate/OH/2026/
  29. Associated Press
    https://apnews.com/article/election-2026-senate-ohio-sherrod-brown-trump-b47ba4a2a4da8e419de15047c33baa50
  30. FOX 8 News
    https://fox8.com/news/meet-the-lesser-known-candidates-in-ohios-2026-u-s-senate-race/
  31. WCMH-TV
    https://www.nbc4i.com/news/your-local-election-hq/two-democrats-enter-ohios-2026-senate-race/
  32. The Plain Dealer
    https://archive.today/20250814183152/https://www.cleveland.com/news/2025/08/political-newcomer-aims-to-spend-millions-to-beat-sherrod-brown-in-ohios-democratic-us-senate-primary.html?outputType=amp
  33. docquery.fec.gov
    https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/S6OH00320/1866577/
  34. docquery.fec.gov
    https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/S6OH00403/1919621/
  35. Axios
    https://www.axios.com/2024/12/12/juan-ciscomani-arizona-governor-2026
  36. "A growing wave of House members is grasping for higher office"
    https://www.axios.com/2025/04/10/house-members-running-for-senate-governor
  37. NOTUS
    https://www.notus.org/2026-election/senate-cooper-mills-brown
  38. Tribune Chronicle
    https://www.tribtoday.com/opinion/david-skolnick/2025/06/ohio-dems-in-holding-pattern/
  39. The Parkersburg News and Sentinel
    https://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/local-news/2025/08/sherrod-brown-to-challenge-u-s-sen-jon-husted/
  40. ifpte.org
    https://www.ifpte.org/news/sherrod-brown-earns-ifptes-endorsement-for-us-senate
  41. Portsmouth Daily Times
    https://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/news/bac-local-23-endorses-sherrod-brown-for-u-s-senate-in-2026/article_023f155b-24f7-4dae-8105-aaa787ffc878.html
  42. WSYX ABC 6
    https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/ohio-federation-of-teachers-endorsement-sherrod-brown-2026-senate-election-ohio-politics-union-support-education-workers-rights-pro-union-labor-movement-public-schools-melissa-cropper-teachers-union-columbus-news-labor-endorsement-ohio-education-policy-d
  43. Chronicle Telegram
    https://chroniclet.com/news/444140/ohio-united-food-and-commercial-workers-unions-endorse-sherrod-brown-for-us-senate-in-2026/
  44. uagetinvolved.org
    https://uagetinvolved.org/content/plumbers-and-pipefitters-union-ua-endorses-sherrod-brown-senate
  45. endcitizensunited.org
    https://www.endcitizensunited.org/ecu-endorses-sherrod-brown
  46. giffords.org
    https://giffords.org/press-release/2025/09/giffords-endorses-sherrod-brown-in-comeback-bid-for-us-senate-in-ohio/
  47. Jewish Democratic Council of America
    https://jewishdems.org/%F0%9F%9A%A8key-endorsements-for-2025-2026%F0%9F%9A%A8/
  48. populationconnectionaction.org
    https://www.populationconnectionaction.org/press-releases/sherrod-brown-for-senate-2026/
  49. WSYX
    https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/greg-levy-2026-ohio-senate-campaign-socialist-party-akron-veteran-working-class-black-liberation-union-movement-paul-robeson-revolutionary-choir-inequality-economy-minimum-wage-rural-hospitals-workers-rights-corporate-greed
  50. Inside Elections
    https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/senate
  51. Cook Political Report
    https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings
  52. Sabato's Crystal Ball
    https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2026-senate/
  53. Race to the WH
    https://www.racetothewh.com/senate/26
  54. BGSU Poll
    https://www.bgsu.edu/arts-and-sciences/democracy-and-public-policy-research-network/bgsu-poll.html
  55. Emerson College Polling
    https://emersoncollegepolling.com/ohio-2026/
  56. Bowling Green State University
    https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1007&context=depo
  57. Bowling Green State University
    https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1007&context=depo
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