Former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown has clinched the Democratic nomination in Ohio’s special Senate election, according to NBC News projections, clearing the way for a competitive general election against Republican incumbent Jon Husted.
Husted, who was appointed to the Senate seat last year, did not face any opposition in the Republican primary.
Brown, 73, defeated political newcomer Ron Kincaid, a software consultant, as he begins a comeback attempt following his 2024 re-election defeat. In that race, Republican Bernie Moreno narrowly unseated him by four points, with Donald Trump playing a major role in boosting Moreno’s campaign.
Brown’s return bid was strongly encouraged by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who sees Ohio as a key battleground in Democrats’ efforts to regain Senate control. Other competitive states being targeted by Democrats include Maine, North Carolina, Alaska, Iowa, Michigan, and Georgia.
On the Republican side, Governor Mike DeWine appointed Jon Husted, 58, to the Senate after JD Vance vacated the seat upon becoming vice president. Husted previously served as Ohio’s lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and state House speaker. He also secured Donald Trump’s endorsement, helping him avoid a primary challenge.
The Ohio Senate race is expected to be one of the most expensive in the country. Brown’s campaign reported $17 million in cash on hand as of mid-April, more than Husted’s $8.1 million, according to Federal Election Commission data. However, both sides are expected to benefit from heavy outside spending.
Both candidates have already launched early television advertisements.
Husted’s ad focuses on his personal background and message of opportunity.
“I started my life in a foster home,” Husted, who has spoken publicly about being adopted, says in the spot. “I tell young people, where you start in life doesn’t limit your future. Work hard, believe in yourself and never lose hope.”
Brown’s ad, which does not feature him directly, questions Husted’s alliances and campaign support, referencing donations tied to associates of Jeffrey Epstein. Husted has also contributed $34,300 to an Ohio anti-human trafficking organization, which includes donations linked to former Epstein associate Leslie Wexner and his wife.
“Jon Husted — who’s he really working for?” a narrator asks in the ad.
Brown remains one of Ohio’s most successful Democratic figures in recent decades, having served three Senate terms and previously held statewide office as secretary of state in the 1980s. He is the only Democrat since 1996, aside from former President Barack Obama, to win multiple statewide non-judicial elections in the state.
After his 2018 re-election, Brown briefly considered a presidential run in 2020, promoting his “dignity of work” message aimed at blue-collar voters in the Midwest, before ultimately deciding not to enter the race.
