2026 United States Senate special election in Ohio
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| Elections in Ohio |
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The 2026 United States Senate special election in Ohio will be held on November 3, 2026, following the election of Senator JD Vance as vice president of the United States, as he resigned from the Senate on January 10, 2025, and assumed the vice presidency on January 20, 2025.
According to Ohio law, if a U.S. Senate seat becomes vacant, the governor appoints a replacement who serves until December 15 following the next regularly scheduled statewide election that occurs more than 180 days after the vacancy. A special election to fill the remainder of the term is then held concurrently with that regular state election, which in this case would be the one on November 3, 2026.[2][3] Governor Mike DeWine chose Jon Husted to replace Vance in the Senate.
This will be the first U.S. Senate special election in Ohio since the one to this seat in 1954.
Background
After voting for President Barack Obama in both 2008 and 2012, Ohio has trended increasingly Republican in subsequent years and is now considered a moderately to strongly red state at the federal and state level. Republicans control all statewide offices, majorities in both chambers of the state legislature, and hold both Senate seats. Republicans also have a majority of the state's House delegation with ten seats compared to five for Democrats.
Republican nominee Donald Trump won Ohio in 2016 and 2020 by 8 percentage points, and in 2024 grew his margin to 11 percentage points.[4] Additionally, Republican JD Vance, now the vice president of the United States, defeated Democrat Tim Ryan in the 2022 U.S. Senate election by slightly over 6 points, while Republican Bernie Moreno defeated then-incumbent Sherrod Brown in the 2024 U.S. Senate election by slightly over 3.5 points.[5]
Interim appointment
Appointee
- Jon Husted, Lieutenant Governor of Ohio (2019–2025)[6]
Considered but not appointed
- Matt Dolan, former state senator from the 24th district (2017–2024) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022 and 2024[7]
- Frank LaRose, Ohio secretary of state (2019–present) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024[7]
- Vivek Ramaswamy, former CEO of Roivant Sciences (2014–2023) and candidate for president in 2024[7]
- Jane Timken, former chair of the Ohio Republican Party (2017–2021) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022[7]
Declined to be considered
- Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio (2019–present) and former U.S. senator (1995–2007)[8]
- Dave Yost, Ohio attorney general (2019–present)[9] (ran for governor)[10]
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Jon Husted, incumbent U.S. senator (2025–present)[11]
Endorsements
Jon Husted
Executive Branch officials
- Donald Trump, 45th and 47th president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[12]
Organizations
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Jon Husted (R) | $1,061,114 | $112,726 | $948,388 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[14] | |||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
Publicly expressed interest
- Casey Weinstein, state senator from the 28th district (2025–present) (if Sherrod Brown doesn't run)[16]
Potential
- Sherrod Brown, former U.S. senator (2007–2025)[17]
- Allison Russo, former Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives (2022–2025) and nominee for Ohio's 15th congressional district in the 2021 special election[18]
Declined
- Shontel Brown, U.S. representative from Ohio's 11th congressional district (2021–present)[19]
- Greg Landsman, U.S. representative from Ohio's 1st congressional district (2023–present) (running for re-election)[20]
- Tim Ryan, former U.S. representative from Ohio's 13th congressional district (2003–2023), nominee for U.S. Senate in 2022, and candidate for president in 2020[21]
- Emilia Sykes, U.S. representative from Ohio's 13th congressional district (2023–present)[19]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[22] | Solid R | Feb 20, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report[23] | Likely R | Feb 13, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[24] | Likely R | Mar 12, 2025 |
| Race To The WH[25] | Tossup | Apr 27, 2025 |
Polling
Hypothetical polling
Jon Husted vs. Sherrod Brown
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Jon Husted (R) |
Sherrod Brown (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[26] | April 18–24, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.1% | 49% | 46% | 5%[c] | – |
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[26] | February 14–21, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 47% | 41% | – | 12% |
Jon Husted vs. Tim Ryan
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Jon Husted (R) |
Tim Ryan (D) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[26] | April 18-24, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.1% | 50% | 44% | 6%[d] | – |
| Bowling Green State University/YouGov[26] | February 14–21, 2025 | 800 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 45% | 38% | – | 17% |
See also
Notes
- ^ JD Vance was elected vice president of the United States in the 2024 presidential election. He resigned his Senate seat on January 10, 2025.[1] Governor Mike DeWine appointed Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted as an interim successor.
- ^ a b Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ^ "Someone else" with 5%
- ^ "Someone else with 6%
References
- ^ Fahmy, Natalie; Rees, David (January 9, 2025). "Sen. J.D. Vance resigns ahead of vice presidential inauguration". WCMH-TV. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Burd, Aaron (July 16, 2024). "How J.D. Vance's replacement in U.S. Senate will be picked if he becomes vice president". WCMH-TV.
- ^ "Filling vacancies in elective offices" (PDF). Ohio Secretary of State. p. 2. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ Schladen, Marty (November 6, 2024). "Trump wins Ohio for a third time". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ Evans, Nick (November 6, 2024). "Republican Bernie Moreno defeats incumbent Sherrod Brown for Ohio U.S. Senate seat • Ohio Capital Journal". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ Wren, Adam; Cai, Sophia (January 17, 2025). "DeWine passes over Ramaswamy, selects Jon Husted for Senate". Politico. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Staver, Anna (November 11, 2024). "Ohio Republican Sen. Matt Dolan seeking appointment to fill vacancy left by VP-elect JD Vance". WOSU-TV. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
Other names reportedly on DeWine's list include Secretary of State Frank LaRose, former Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
- ^ Trau, Morgan (July 24, 2024). "Here's what qualities Gov. Mike DeWine wants to see in his possible U.S. Senate appointment". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine chuckled as he denied interest in appointing himself to the open Senate seat
- ^ Kronenberg, Alan (September 5, 2024). "Who Would Take Over for JD Vance or Tim Walz, and Does it Matter?". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ Andrews, Melissa (December 4, 2024). "Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost says he will run for Governor". WTOL. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
- ^ Smyth, Julie Carr (April 9, 2025). "Trump favorite Jon Husted launches 2026 U.S. Senate campaign in Ohio". Associated Press. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
- ^ Taylor, Lydia (April 9, 2025). "Trump endorses Husted for 2026 Senate race". Spectrum News. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
- ^ "Ohio Republican Party endorses Husted". The Highland County Press. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Election United States Senate - Ohio". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ^ a b Millard, Katie (June 25, 2025). "Two Democrats enter Ohio's 2026 Senate race". WCMH-TV. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ Skolnick, David (June 20, 2025). "Ohio Dems in holding pattern". Tribune Chronicle. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
- ^ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (May 29, 2025). "Morning Digest: Tommy Tuberville will bail on the Senate after just one term". The Downballot. Retrieved June 7, 2025.
- ^ "Replacing JD Vance in the U.S. Senate sets off scramble in Ohio". Associated Press. November 22, 2024. Archived from the original on November 22, 2024. Retrieved November 24, 2024 – via CBS News.
- ^ a b Solender, Andrew (December 12, 2024). "GOP Rep. Ciscomani passes on run for Arizona governor". Axios. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
Reps. Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio) and Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) won't run for Vice President-elect JD Vance's Senate seat, according to Sykes' office and a statement from Brown.
- ^ Solender, Andrew (April 10, 2025). "A growing wave of House members is grasping for higher office". Axios. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), previously floated as a potential challenger to Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio), told Axios he is 'staying put' in the House.
- ^ Roarty, Alex (April 29, 2025). "Democrats' Senate Majority Hopes Hinge on Candidates Who Are Still Undecided". NOTUS. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Alexander, Robert; Miller, Melissa; Jackson, David; Boston, Joshua (March 5, 2024). "Survey of 800 Ohio Registered voters 18+, Feb 2025 Toplines". Bowling Green State University. Retrieved March 9, 2025.