Ohio's Senate race pits Sherrod Brown against Jon Husted in costly rematch

Ohio’s Senate race is shaping up to be one of the most expensive and closely watched contests this year. Former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown and Republican incumbent Jon Husted will face each other in November. Both candidates have already raised millions, with Brown securing a decisive primary win on Tuesday night. Sherrod Brown won the Democratic primary without opposition, setting the stage for a rematch after his narrow loss in 2024. That year, he fell to Republican Bernie Moreno by less than four percentage points, even as Donald Trump carried Ohio by over 10 points.

Husted, appointed in 2024 to fill Vice President JD Vance’s seat, is defending it for the first time. Unlike Brown, he ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

Fundraising reports show a clear financial edge for Brown. In the first quarter alone, he raised $10.1 million—more than triple Husted’s $2.9 million. Heading into the primary, Brown also held a cash advantage, with $17 million on hand compared to Husted’s $8.1 million.

The race has already drawn massive outside spending. The Senate Leadership Fund, a Republican-aligned group, has reserved $79 million for ads in Ohio—the largest single-state ad buy this cycle. The November showdown will test Brown’s ability to reclaim his old seat in a state that has shifted further to the right. With both campaigns flush with cash and outside groups pouring in millions, the contest is on track to become one of the costliest Senate battles of the year.