(WJW) — Sen. Jon Husted (R) holds a 6-point lead over Democratic challenger Sherrod Brown, while 7% of voters said they remain undecided.
The new Nexstar/Emerson College poll numbers give a first look at the state of the newly minted race for U.S. Senate in Ohio.
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Brown just entered the race this month, raising $3.6 million in the first 24 hours. It’s the Democrat’s attempt at a political comeback after losing last year’s election to Cleveland businessman and current Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno.
Husted was appointed to his role in the Senate by Gov. Mike DeWine earlier this year to fill the seat of JD Vance, who was tapped to be President Donald Trump’s vice president.
Brown is a known commodity in the state of Ohio, serving three terms in the Senate and, until recently, was the Buckeye State’s only Democrat elected to statewide office.
New polling shows that 44% of voters have a favorable view of Brown, 42% see him unfavorably and 14% are neutral or haven’t heard of him.
Compare that to the third of voters (33%) who have a favorable view of Husted, 28% with an unfavorable view and 40% who are unsure, or have never heard of the former lieutenant governor.
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The other big race up to voters next fall: Who will be Ohio’s next governor? Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy is running unopposed for the Republicans, while a Democratic primary appears to be brewing between former state health director Dr. Amy Acton and former congressman Tim Ryan.
The Nexstar/Emerson College poll shows Ramaswamy with substantial leads over both Democrats.
Ramaswamy leads Acton, who entered the race in January, by 10 points (49% to 39%).
And Ryan, who advisors say will make a final decision on whether to run by Sept. 30, trails Ramaswamy by 8 points (49% to 41%).
And with a way-too-early look at the 2028 presidential race in Ohio, right now the numbers show clear leaders on both sides.
For the Republicans, Vance lapped the field, with 55% saying he’s their choice.
For the Democrats, California Gov. Gavin Newsom led the pack, with 20% choosing him.
Primary Election Day for next year’s midterms is May 26, 2026. The General Election is Nov. 3, 2026.
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