Sen. Jon Husted, a Republican, is running for a full term representing Ohio in the U.S. Senate in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
The race is for the rest of an unexpired term, according to BallotReady. Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Husted to the seat on Jan. 17, 2025, after JD Vance resigned to serve as vice president of the United States. Husted was sworn in on Jan. 21, 2025. He is certified for the ballot.
Three other candidates are also in the race: Sherrod Brown (Democratic), Greg Levy (Independent) and William B. Redpath (Libertarian).
Candidate information
- Full name: Jon Allen Husted
- Date of birth: Aug. 25, 1967, in Royal Oak, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit
- Party: Republican
- 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)
- Personal: Husted said on his Senate website that he started life in a foster home before being adopted by Jim and Judy Husted. He said he is the oldest of three children and was raised in Williams County in northwest Ohio.
Husted said he was an All-American defensive back and helped lead the University of Dayton Flyers to their 1989 Division III football national championship.
Experience and public service
Husted has held elected office in Ohio for more than two decades, according to BallotReady:
- Representative, District 37, Ohio House of Representatives (2001–2009)
- Speaker of the Ohio House (2005–2009)
- Senator, District 6, Ohio State Senate (2008–2012)
- Secretary of state, Ohio (2011–2019)
- Lieutenant governor, Ohio (2019–2025)
- Senator, U.S. Senate (2025–present)
Before entering public office, 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, according to his Senate website: the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
On the issues
The following positions are stated by Husted on his Senate website. They reflect the candidate's own claims.
Education and school choice: Husted said that as speaker of the Ohio House, he expanded educational freedom through the creation of the EdChoice Scholarship. He said he has supported school choice policies including charter schools and programs that expand access to private and religious education.
Border security: Husted said 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 said he has voted to give law enforcement more tools to convict criminals who have helped bring fentanyl into Ohio communities and has worked to protect children from online predators.
Abortion and family policy: Husted said he has voted to protect women, girls and their sports. He describes himself as a pro-family leader and advocate for parents and children. He said 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 listed by the Ohio Republican Party and BallotReady:
- 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
- Americans for Prosperity
- Americans for Prosperity-Ohio
- American Israel Public Affairs Committee
- Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America
- Ohio Right to Life PAC
- Ohio Republican Party
- Butler County Republican Party
- Clermont County Republican Party
- Franklin County Republican Party
- Lake County Republican Party
- Scioto County GOP
- Strongsville Republican Party
- Summit County GOP
- Ohio Value Voters
- Buckeye Firearms Association
- The LIBRE Initiative
