Sen. Jon Husted, a Republican appointed to Ohio's U.S. Senate seat Jan. 17, 2025, is running to keep it in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
The race is for the rest of an unexpired term, according to BallotReady election data. Husted is certified for the ballot. He faces Greg Levy (Independent), Sherrod Brown (Democratic) and William B. Redpath (Libertarian).
Candidate information
Full name: Jon Allen Husted
Date of birth: Aug. 25, 1967, in Royal Oak, Michigan, according to his Wikipedia biography
Party: Republican
Office sought: U.S. Senate, Ohio
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), according to BallotReady
Personal background: 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 Williams County in northwest Ohio.
Husted says he was an All-American defensive back who helped lead the University of Dayton Flyers to their 1989 Division III Football National Championship.
Experience and public service
Governor Mike DeWine appointed Husted to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by JD Vance after Vance resigned to serve as vice president, according to Husted's Wikipedia biography. Husted was sworn in Jan. 21, 2025.
Before the Senate appointment, Husted held several Ohio offices, according to BallotReady and his Senate website:
- Lieutenant governor of Ohio (2019–2025)
- Secretary of state of Ohio (2011–2019)
- State senator, District 6, Ohio State Senate (2008–2012)
- State representative, District 37, Ohio House of Representatives (2001–2009), including speaker of the House (2005–2009)
He also served as vice president for economic development at the Dayton-Area Chamber of Commerce, according to BallotReady.
In the Senate, Husted sits on four committees, according to his Senate website: Appropriations; Environment and Public Works; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
On the issues
The following positions are stated by Husted on his Senate website. They are 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 bring fentanyl into Ohio communities and has worked to protect children from online predators.
Abortion and family policy: Husted describes himself as a pro-family leader. He says his track record of defending the rights of women, children and the unborn began in his own family through his adoption.
Endorsements
The following endorsements are listed 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
- Ohio Republican Party
- Summit County GOP
- Strongsville Republican Party
- Franklin County Republican Party
- Clermont County Republican Party
- Butler County Republican Party
- Lake County Republican Party
- Scioto County GOP
- Ohio Value Voters
- Ohio Right to Life PAC
- Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America
- Buckeye Firearms Association
- Americans for Prosperity
- Americans for Prosperity-Ohio
- American Israel Public Affairs Committee
- The LIBRE Initiative
Village Press did not receive a completed questionnaire from Husted's campaign. This profile is based on public records, his Senate website and election data.
