Jon Husted runs to keep Ohio Senate seat in Nov. 3 election

Sen. Jon Husted, a Republican appointed to Ohio's U.S. Senate seat in January 2025, is running to keep the position in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The race is for the rest of an unexpired term. Husted faces Democratic candidate Sherrod Brown, Independent Greg Levy and Libertarian William B. Redpath, according to BallotReady election data. He is certified for the ballot. The Butler County Republican Party is among the organizations backing his candidacy.

Governor Mike DeWine appointed Husted to the seat on Jan. 17, 2025, after JD Vance resigned to serve as vice president of the United States, according to Wikipedia. Husted was sworn in on Jan. 21, 2025.

Candidate information

Full name: Jon Allen Husted
Party: Republican
Office sought: U.S. Senate, Ohio (unexpired term)
Born: Aug. 25, 1967, in Royal Oak, Michigan
Education: High school diploma, Montpelier High School (1985); bachelor's degree in education, University of Dayton (1989); master's degree in communications, University of Dayton (1992)

Husted says he started life in a foster home before being adopted by Jim and Judy Husted, according to his Senate website. He is the oldest of three children and was raised in Williams County in northwest Ohio. He says the small community shaped his commitment to faith, family and hard work. As a defensive back at the University of Dayton, Husted says he helped lead the Flyers to their 1989 Division III football national championship and earned All-American honors.

Experience and public service

Husted has held elected office in Ohio for more than two decades, according to BallotReady profile data and his Senate website:

Ohio House of Representatives, District 37 (2001–2009), rising to speaker of the House (2005–2009)
Ohio State Senate, District 6 (2008–2012)
Ohio secretary of state (2011–2019)
Ohio lieutenant governor (2019–2025)
U.S. senator (2025–present)

Before entering politics, Husted served as vice president for economic development at the Dayton-Area Chamber of Commerce, according to BallotReady.

In the Senate, Husted sits on four committees: Appropriations; Environment and Public Works; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

On the issues

The following positions are stated by Husted's campaign on his Senate website. They reflect the candidate's own claims.

Education and school choice: Husted says that as speaker of the Ohio House, he expanded educational freedom through the creation of the EdChoice Scholarship. He says he has supported school choice policies including charter schools and programs that expand access to private and religious education.

Border security: Husted says he has worked in the Senate to secure the border and has prioritized keeping Ohio communities safe by securing millions of dollars of funding for law enforcement.

Public safety and fentanyl: Husted says he has voted to give law enforcement more tools to convict criminals who have helped flood Ohio communities with fentanyl and has worked to protect children from online predators.

Abortion and family policy: Husted says he has voted to protect women, girls and their sports. He describes himself as a faithful pro-family leader and advocate for parents and children. He says his track record of defending the rights of women, children and the unborn began in his own family through his adoption.

Endorsements

The following endorsements are reported by the Ohio Republican Party and BallotReady profile data:

Donald J. Trump, President of the United States
Northwest Ohio Building & Construction Trades Council
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers
Ohio Republican Party
Butler County Republican Party
Clermont County Republican Party
Franklin County Republican Party
Lake County Republican Party
Scioto County GOP
Summit County GOP
Strongsville Republican Party
Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Prosperity-Ohio
American Israel Public Affairs Committee
Buckeye Firearms Association
Ohio Right to Life PAC
Ohio Value Voters
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America
The LIBRE Initiative