Former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown has won the Democratic nomination in Ohio's special Senate election, according to NBC News projections. The victory sets up a high-profile general election contest against Republican incumbent Jon Husted, who was appointed to the seat earlier this year.
Brown, a Democrat who previously served in the Senate from 2007 to 2025, defeated primary challengers including Morgan Harper and others. His campaign focused on economic populism and labor rights, key themes in a state that has trended Republican in recent presidential elections.
Husted, the former Ohio lieutenant governor, was appointed by Governor Mike DeWine to fill the vacancy left by Senator J.D. Vance, who resigned to become Vice President. The general election is expected to be one of the most competitive in the country, with both parties investing heavily in the race.
Ohio's special election will be held on November 3, 2026, alongside the regular midterm elections. The outcome could determine control of the Senate, which is currently divided 50-50.
