The Midterm Editor's note: This page was last updated November 6, 2026. The result recorded below is a race call by a news organization, not a certified total; the state election office certifies the official count.
Result
Sherrod Brown (D) defeated Jon Husted (R). The Associated Press called the race on the night of November 3, 2026. It is a Republican-held seat that Democrats won in a rematch with national implications.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Winner | Sherrod Brown (D) |
| Called by | Associated Press, night of November 3, 2026 |
| Outcome | Democratic pickup |
A race call is a projection, not a certified total. County canvasses and state certification follow, as the certification calendar explains. Full chamber results are on the Senate results page.
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Seat | U.S. Senate, Ohio, special election |
| Candidates | Jon Husted (R) and Sherrod Brown (D) |
| Election Day | Tuesday, November 3, 2026 |
| Race rating | See Cook, Sabato, and DDHQ for current ratings and dates |
| Registration deadline | Has passed; see the Ohio voting guide |
| Voting guide | How to vote in Ohio |
Who is running?
This race is part of the wider fight for the Senate majority; our Ohio Senate hub collects related coverage.
Jon Husted (Republican). Husted has served in the Senate since 2025 and was Ohio's secretary of state before that, according to his official biography. He is the Republican nominee.
Sherrod Brown (Democratic). Brown represented Ohio in the Senate from 2007 to 2025 and served in the U.S. House before that, according to his official biography. He is the Democratic nominee. Both men have held statewide office in Ohio.
Other candidates. Ohio ballots can include Libertarian and independent candidates. The Ohio secretary of state publishes the official lineup.
Polls
Public polling in the Ohio Senate race 2026 has been frequent, and the averages have moved. We do not publish a poll number we have not sourced, and no single survey settles a statewide race: samples of registered or likely voters carry a margin of error of several points, and the sponsor and field dates matter as much as the topline.
Where to find current numbers
- 270toWin's 2026 Senate tracker — state-by-state polling averages and race ratings.
- RealClearPolitics — a rolling average of published Ohio surveys.
- Silver Bulletin — polling averages and a forecast model.
Each tracker dates its average, and each underlying poll lists a margin of error. Check both before you treat a lead as real; a lead of one or two points inside the margin is not a lead.
Race rating and forecast
Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Decision Desk HQ each rate Senate races on a scale that runs from safe for one party to toss-up. They do not always agree, and a rating is a judgment about the state of the race rather than a prediction. We do not restate a rating without its date, so check the current rating at each rater: Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Decision Desk HQ.
A toss-up rating means either party could win, usually within the range where polling error or a late shift decides it. Ratings change with new polling and spending, so check the date on any rating you read.
Key issues
The economy and manufacturing
Pew Research Center's September 28 to October 4, 2026 survey found that 84% of voters call the economy very important, the top answer for both parties. Ohio's manufacturing base, including auto and steel supply chains, is central to both campaigns, and each candidate will argue that his party's trade and tax policies protect those jobs.
Abortion
Abortion is very important to 46% of voters overall, 43% of Republicans, and 49% of Democrats. Federal legislation would sit alongside Ohio's constitutional and statutory rules, and both candidates will be asked where they would draw the line.
Immigration
Immigration is very important to 59% of all voters and 72% of Republicans in the Pew survey. The issue is fought mostly in national messaging, but Senate control determines which immigration bills reach a vote, and both candidates will be asked how they would vote.
Democracy and election rules
Seventy-three percent of voters call the future of democracy very important, second on the Pew list. Ohio's secretary of state oversees elections, and Husted held that office before moving to the Senate. Both candidates will be asked how they would handle election administration in Congress.
How to vote in Ohio
The regular registration deadline has passed, so confirm your status before Election Day. Early in-person voting began the day after registration closed and ends the day before Election Day. Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot without an excuse. On Election Day, polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Check your registration and absentee status at the Ohio Secretary of State. Our full Ohio voting guide covers ID rules and early-voting locations.
What to watch in the Ohio Senate race 2026
- Early-vote totals. Ohio reports absentee and early in-person numbers by party, and the secretary of state's office publishes the running totals.
- The I-71 corridor. Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland suburbs hold much of the state's swing vote, and both parties will watch whether those suburbs move.
- National money. Outside groups are active in the race. Federal campaign finance filings are the best place to follow who is spending and where.
Results
Results were updated after polls closed on November 3, 2026. We do not report live results from the field; our results page links to official state counts and the AP race call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is running for Senate in Ohio in 2026?
Republican Jon Husted, who has held the seat since 2025, faces Democrat Sherrod Brown, who held it from 2007 to 2025. The Ohio secretary of state publishes the full ballot lineup.
Why is there a special election in Ohio in 2026?
Ohio is filling this seat in a special election, so the winner serves the remainder of the unexpired term rather than a full six-year term.
What do the polls show in the Ohio Senate race?
Trackers publish a current average, but we do not repeat a number without a source and date. See the 270toWin, RealClearPolitics, and Silver Bulletin links above.
When is Election Day in Ohio?
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting ends the day before, so check the Ohio voting guide.
Can I still register to vote in Ohio?
The regular deadline has passed. The Ohio voting guide explains what to do if you are unsure of your registration status.
Sources
- 270toWin: 2026 Senate elections — race tracker. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Cook Political Report — race ratings. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Sabato's Crystal Ball — race ratings. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Ohio Secretary of State: Elections — registration and absentee voting. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Pew Research Center — September 28 to October 4, 2026 issue survey. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- AP News — Ohio coverage and race calls. Accessed October 27, 2026.