The latest poll from Bowling Green State University showed Husted with a narrow lead over Brown but still pointed to a competitive race. It found that 49 percent of respondents preferred Husted, while 46 percent said they would vote for Brown in 2026. Five percent leaned toward other candidates.

Former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown announced a bid to once again represent Ohio in the Senate on Monday, nearly a year after his reelection effort in 2024 fell short.

It was widely believed that Brown would be running for governor of Ohio, but was lobbied by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to instead take on Husted as Democrats will battle to take back control of the Senate in next year's midterm elections.