COLUMBUS, Ohio — If Ohio’s 2026 U.S. Senate race ends up being between Republican incumbent Jon Husted and Democratic ex-U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, voters will be given a choice between two men with significantly different priorities and stances on many – though not all – key issues.

The very slim Democratic field affords Brown the opportunity to face off against Republican Senator Jon Husted, Ohio's former lieutenant governor and secretary of state, who was appointed by Republican Governor Mike DeWine to fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat opened by JD Vance becoming vice president.

Former Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown has told Democratic allies that he intends to run for Senate next year, two people familiar with his plans told CNN, and is soon poised to launch a 2026 campaign aimed at vindicating his defeat two years ago after three decades in Congress.