Sen. Jon Husted, a Republican appointed to Ohio's U.S. Senate seat in January 2025, is running in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election to serve the rest of the unexpired term.

Governor Mike DeWine appointed Husted on Jan. 17, 2025, to fill the seat vacated by JD Vance after Vance resigned to serve as vice president, according to Husted's Wikipedia biography. Husted was sworn in on Jan. 21, 2025.

He is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data. The other candidates in the race are Sherrod Brown (Democratic), Greg Levy (Independent) and William B. Redpath (Libertarian).

The Montgomery-Blue Ash Courier sent Husted a candidate questionnaire. He had not responded as of publication.

Candidate information

  • Full name: Jon Allen Husted
  • Date of birth: Aug. 25, 1967, in Royal Oak, Michigan
  • Party: Republican
  • Education: High school diploma, Montpelier High School (1985); bachelor's degree in education, University of Dayton (1989); master's degree in communications, University of Dayton (1992)

Husted says on his Senate website that he started life in a foster home before being adopted by Jim and Judy Husted. He says he is the oldest of three children and was raised in northwest Ohio's Williams County. He says he helped lead the University of Dayton Flyers to their 1989 Division III Football National Championship as an All-American defensive back.

Experience and public service

According to his Senate website and BallotReady data, Husted's public service record includes:

  • Representative, District 37, Ohio House of Representatives (2001–2009)
  • Speaker of the House, Ohio House of Representatives (2005–2009)
  • Senator, District 6, Ohio State Senate (2008–2012)
  • Secretary of state, Ohio (2011–2019)
  • Lieutenant governor, Ohio (2019–2025)
  • U.S. senator, Ohio (2025–present)

Husted also served as vice president for economic development at the Dayton-Area Chamber of Commerce, according to BallotReady.

In the Senate, Husted sits on the committees on Appropriations; Environment and Public Works; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and Small Business and Entrepreneurship, according to his Senate website.

On the issues

The following positions are stated by Husted on his Senate website. They reflect the candidate's own claims.

Education and school choice: Husted says that as speaker of the Ohio House, he expanded educational freedom through the creation of the EdChoice Scholarship. He says he has supported school choice policies including charter schools and programs that expand access to private and religious education.

Border security: Husted says he has worked in the Senate to secure the border and has prioritized keeping Ohio communities safe by securing millions of dollars of funding for law enforcement.

Public safety and fentanyl: Husted says he has voted to give law enforcement more tools to convict criminals who have helped flood Ohio communities with fentanyl. He says he has also worked to protect children from online predators.

Abortion, family and sports: Husted describes himself as a faithful pro-family leader and advocate for parents and their children. He says his track record of defending the rights of women, children and the unborn began in his own family through his adoption. He also says he has voted to protect women, girls and their sports.

Endorsements

The following endorsements were reported by the Ohio Republican Party and BallotReady:

  • Donald J. Trump, President of the United States
  • Northwest Ohio Building & Construction Trades Council
  • International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers
  • Americans for Prosperity
  • Americans for Prosperity-Ohio
  • American Israel Public Affairs Committee
  • Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America
  • Ohio Right to Life PAC
  • Ohio Value Voters
  • Buckeye Firearms Association
  • The LIBRE Initiative
  • Ohio Republican Party
  • Franklin County Republican Party
  • Summit County GOP
  • Butler County Republican Party
  • Clermont County Republican Party
  • Lake County Republican Party
  • Scioto County GOP
  • Strongsville Republican Party