COLUMBUS, Ohio — If Ohio’s 2026 U.S. Senate race ends up being between Republican incumbent Jon Husted and Democratic ex-U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, voters will be given a choice between two men with significantly different priorities and stances on many – though not all – key issues.

The very slim Democratic field affords Brown the opportunity to face off against Republican Senator Jon Husted, Ohio's former lieutenant governor and secretary of state, who was appointed by Republican Governor Mike DeWine to fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat opened by JD Vance becoming vice president.

Former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown’s entry would give Democrats their top potential recruit, since Brown has been elected statewide five times in Ohio.