Husted campaigns against Brown in Ohio Senate race

Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, campaigned for support in the 2026 Ohio Senate special election during a Lawrence County Republican Party dinner at the Ro-Na Theater in Ironton, where he highlighted his record and criticized Democratic opponent Sherrod Brown. Husted is seeking the seat after being appointed to the Senate in 2025.

The November contest will determine the remaining two years of the Senate term previously held by JD Vance after Vance became U.S. vice president. Brown, a former three-term senator, is seeking a return to the chamber after losing reelection in 2024.

According to the Ironton Tribune, Husted discussed his upbringing, career in Ohio politics and legislative record during the event. He said he entered public service after becoming concerned about how others viewed the state's economic future.

"If you know that, how can you be anything but grateful?" Husted said while discussing learning that he was adopted and reflecting on his parents' role in his life.

Husted described his path from factory work and college football at the University of Dayton to elected office, including roles as Ohio secretary of state and lieutenant governor. He said his legislative priorities included economic and legal reforms.

"Workers' compensation reform, tort reform, tax reform," Husted said while listing policies he supported during his time in the Ohio General Assembly.

Husted also pointed to Ohio's business climate and unemployment record while making his case to voters. He argued that policy decisions had changed the state's economic position.

"And we are now rated the number one state to do business," Husted said. "You can change things when you dedicate yourself to it."

The senator also criticized Brown's record, including disagreements over energy and healthcare policy. Brown has defended his long record of support for workers and challenged Republican attacks on healthcare issues.

PolitiFact reported that Brown's claim that Husted voted to remove healthcare coverage from 490,000 Ohioans is based on projections tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Husted supported. Analysts estimated possible coverage losses ranging from 350,000 to 580,000 Ohio residents depending on implementation and policy effects.

Husted's campaign said he supported the law because it focused Medicaid resources on core groups, while critics argued the changes could reduce coverage through new requirements and reduced subsidies.

Cleveland.com reported that claims from political advertisements about Husted's healthcare record and Brown's relationship with insurers did not fully match available evidence. The outlet said both candidates' allies have used incomplete portrayals of healthcare policies during the campaign.

The Senate race remains one of the most closely watched contests in Ohio, with both parties focusing on healthcare, economic policy and the candidates' records before the November election.