Sherrod Brown Holds Narrow Lead in Ohio Senate Race Amid State’s Republican Turn

Sherrod Brown, a former Democratic senator, leads the 2026 Ohio Senate race despite the state’s decade-long shift toward the GOP. He is running against Jon Husted, the Republican appointed after JD Vance moved to the vice-presidency. Polling aggregates from one outlet, one outlet-Siena survey, Suffolk University and InsiderAdvantage each place Brown ahead by two to three points, with margins of error ranging from about 2.8 to 4.5 points.

Brown’s platform stresses economic populism and resistance to AI data-center projects, contrasting with Husted’s record of supporting such developments. Fundraising reports show Brown’s allies have raised over $14 million in the second quarter, while Husted’s committees have collected $7.7 million. Analysts say the contest could be decisive for Democrats seeking to overturn the Republican 53-47 Senate majority.