Who Is Running for Senate in Ohio
Republican Senator Jon Husted and Democrat Sherrod Brown are the major-party nominees in Ohio’s U.S. Senate special election on November 3, 2026. Libertarian Bill Redpath and independent Gregory Levy are also on the ballot (Ballotpedia).
Key facts
- The winner serves the rest of J.D. Vance’s term, through January 3, 2029 (Ballotpedia).
- Jon Husted was appointed to the seat on January 17, 2025; November 3 is his first election for it.
- Sherrod Brown served in the U.S. Senate from 2007 to 2025 and lost Ohio’s other seat in 2024.
- Early voting runs October 6, 2026 to November 1, 2026.
Candidates in Ohio's U.S. Senate special election, November 3, 2026
Source: Ballotpedia, United States Senate special election in Ohio, 2026; write-in candidates not listed
Why Ohio Has a Special Senate Election
Ohio is filling a Senate seat out of its normal schedule because J.D. Vance resigned it to become vice president. On January 17, 2025, Governor Mike DeWine appointed Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted to the seat until voters could choose. The special election decides who holds it for the two years left on the six-year term Vance won in 2022 (Ballotpedia).
Ohio’s other Senate seat is not on the ballot. Republican Bernie Moreno won it on November 5, 2024, beating Sherrod Brown, 50.1% to 46.5%. So Sherrod Brown is running two years after losing his own seat. Our midterm elections explainer covers the other Senate races on November 3.
- Vance wins the six-year Senate term
- Moreno defeats Brown for the other seat
- DeWine appoints Husted to Vance's seat
- Brown and Husted win their primaries
- Special election for the rest of the term
- The term ends; the seat is up again
: Nov 2022: Vance wins the six-year Senate term. Nov 2024: Moreno defeats Brown for the other seat. Jan 2025: DeWine appoints Husted to Vance's seat. May 2026: Brown and Husted win their primaries. Nov 2026: Special election for the rest of the term. Jan 2029: The term ends; the seat is up again.
November 8, 2022: Vance won the Senate seat for a term that ends January 3, 2029.
November 5, 2024: Moreno defeated Sherrod Brown for Ohio’s other seat, 50.1% to 46.5% (Ballotpedia).
January 17, 2025: DeWine appointed Jon Husted to replace Vance in the Senate.
May 5, 2026: Jon Husted and Sherrod Brown won their party primaries.
November 3, 2026: Voters choose who serves until January 3, 2029, when the seat is on the ballot again for a full term.
Ohio Senate Primary Results
Sherrod Brown won the Democratic primary with 89.4% over Ron Kincaid, and Jon Husted ran unopposed for the Republican nomination. Both primaries were held May 5, 2026, and the results are certified (Ballotpedia).
- 89.4%
- Sherrod Brown's share of 796,511 Democratic primary votes
- 736,413
- votes for Jon Husted, unopposed in the Republican primary
Husted and Brown Records in Public Office
Both nominees have held statewide office in Ohio, and both served as Ohio secretary of state. Jon Husted held state offices for more than two decades before his appointment. Sherrod Brown spent most of his career in Congress (Ballotpedia).
Public offices held by Jon Husted and Sherrod Brown
Source: Ballotpedia, United States Senate special election in Ohio, 2026
Ohio Senate Campaign Money
Through June 30, 2026, each campaign had raised about $14.4 million, according to federal reports compiled by Ballotpedia. Jon Husted had spent $4.9 million and Sherrod Brown $4.5 million. The next reports, covering July through September, are due to the Federal Election Commission on October 15, 2026.
How to Vote for Senate
Ohio’s registration deadline is October 5, 2026, and mailed ballots must arrive by Election Day. Check your registration with the Secretary of State’s voter lookup.
Ohio's 2026 Senate election, step by step
- October 5, 2026 Last day to register Online, in person, or by mail postmarked that day.
- October 6, 2026 to November 1, 2026 Early in-person voting Absentee ballot applications must arrive by October 27, 2026.
- November 3, 2026 Election Day Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m..
- January 3, 2029 The term ends The seat is on the ballot again for a full six-year term.
Ohio Senate Questions
Who is running for U.S. Senate in Ohio in 2026?
Republican Senator Jon Husted and Democrat Sherrod Brown are the major-party nominees in the November 3, 2026 special election. Libertarian Bill Redpath and independent Gregory Levy are also on the ballot.
Why does Ohio have a special Senate election in 2026?
J.D. Vance left the Senate to become vice president, and Governor Mike DeWine appointed Jon Husted to the seat on January 17, 2025. The special election decides who serves the rest of Vance’s term, through January 3, 2029.
Is Sherrod Brown running for Senate in 2026?
Yes. Sherrod Brown won the Democratic primary with 89.4% and faces Jon Husted on November 3, 2026. He served in the Senate from 2007 to 2025 and lost Ohio’s other seat to Bernie Moreno in 2024.
How long will the winner of the Ohio Senate special election serve?
About two years. The winner serves the rest of the six-year term Vance won in 2022, which ends January 3, 2029. The seat is on the ballot again in 2028 for a full term.
What You Can Do
- Check your registration before October 5, 2026 with the Secretary of State’s voter lookup.
- Vote early between October 6, 2026 and November 1, 2026, or request an absentee ballot by October 27, 2026.
- Read both campaigns’ filings. The Federal Election Commission posts each candidate’s money raised and spent.
- Contact your current senators, Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted, about the votes coming up in Congress. Our letter-writing guide shows how.
- Read the rest of your ballot: the Ohio governor race is on the same ballot.