Jon Husted seeks to keep appointed Ohio Senate seat

Sen. Jon Husted, a Republican who has held elected office in Ohio since 2001, is running to keep the U.S. Senate seat he was appointed to in 2025.

Husted faces Sherrod Brown, a Democrat; Greg Levy, an independent; and William B. Redpath, a Libertarian, in the Nov. 3 general election. The race is for the rest of the unexpired term left open when JD Vance resigned to become vice president. Husted is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data. Anderson Township, Mariemont and Terrace Park voters will see this race on their ballots.

Candidate information

Name: Jon Allen Husted
Party: Republican
Born: Aug. 25, 1967, in Royal Oak, Michigan
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)
Personal: Husted said on his Senate website that he started life in a foster home before being adopted by Jim and Judy Husted. He said he is the oldest of three children and was raised in Williams County in northwest Ohio.

Husted said he was an All-American defensive back who helped lead the University of Dayton Flyers to their 1989 Division III football national championship, according to his Senate website.

Experience and public service

Governor Mike DeWine appointed Husted to the U.S. Senate on Jan. 17, 2025, to fill the seat vacated by Vance. Husted was sworn in on Jan. 21, 2025, according to Wikipedia.

Before joining the Senate, Husted served as Ohio's lieutenant governor from 2019 to 2025 and as Ohio secretary of state from 2011 to 2019, according to BallotReady. He represented District 37 in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2001 to 2009, serving as speaker of the House from 2005 to 2009. He also served in the Ohio State Senate representing District 6 from 2008 to 2012. Earlier in his career, he worked as vice president for economic development at the Dayton-Area Chamber of Commerce.

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

On the issues

The following positions come from Husted's Senate website and reflect the candidate's own statements. Husted did not return our questionnaire.

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

Border security: Husted said 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 said he has voted to give law enforcement more tools to convict criminals who have helped flood Ohio communities with fentanyl and has worked to protect children from online predators.

Abortion: Husted describes himself as a pro-family leader and advocate for parents and children. He said his track record of defending the rights of women, children and the unborn began in his own family through his adoption.

Endorsements

Husted has received endorsements from the following, according to the Ohio Republican Party and BallotReady:

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