Sherrod Brown Reclaims Ohio Senate Seat From Jon Husted

Columbus, Ohio. The Associated Press called the Ohio U.S. Senate race on Monday, declaring Democratic former senator Sherrod Brown the winner over incumbent Republican Jon Husted. The result sends Brown back to Capitol Hill after a close and costly election.

Brown lost this same seat in 2024 to Bernie Moreno in a race that was the most expensive non-presidential election on record at the time. This year, the contest drew even more spending. By mid-October, candidates and outside groups had spent more than $422 million. The two candidates together raised over $80 million. AdImpact data shows Democrats outspent Republicans on broadcast TV ads in Ohio, the only state with a close Senate race where that occurred.

Husted took office in January 2023 after Gov. Mike DeWine appointed him to fill the vacancy left when JD Vance won the vice presidency. Before that, Husted served as lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and speaker of the Ohio House. This was his first run for the U.S. Senate. Brown, who served three previous terms, sought to capitalize on his high name recognition in the state.

The campaign focused on affordability, health care costs, the war in Iran, and data centers. Brown targeted Husted’s involvement with data center deals during his time as lieutenant governor, calling him "the face of data centers" in Ohio. A leaked memo from the National Republican Senatorial Committee described data centers as "the anchor hanging around Husted's neck." NPR has not independently confirmed the authenticity of that memo.

Both candidates avoided splashy launch events early in the race, opting for smaller gatherings instead. They joined larger rallies in the final month. On Oct. 24, Brown participated in a rally led by former President Barack Obama. Husted met with President Donald Trump during three visits to Ohio in October. Trump praised Husted’s physique, joining several other male office seekers who received similar comments.

Ohio has been a Republican stronghold, with President Trump winning the state in the last three presidential cycles. Polls showed the Senate race remained tight throughout the year. The contest attracted national attention as indicators of a Democratic "blue wave" built. Brown’s victory makes him the seventh former U.S. senator since 1946 to lose a seat and later return.

Brown is assured of only two more years in the Senate. The 2026 election filled the remainder of the term Vance was elected to in 2022. Brown must run for reelection in 2028 to keep the seat.