Brown trails Husted at start of Ohio Senate race, new poll shows

Poll Shows Husted Leading Brown in Ohio Senate Race

In a recent twist of political fate, former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown finds himself trailing Republican Senator Jon Husted by a notable six points, according to the first public survey following Brown’s announcement of his Senate comeback. This development signals a rocky road ahead for Democrats who are striving to reclaim control of the Senate in the upcoming elections.

The Emerson College poll, released on Friday, reveals that 50% of registered voters would cast their ballots for Husted if the election were held today, while 44% favor Brown, leaving 7% undecided. This lead for Husted is particularly striking considering Brown’s longer tenure and greater name recognition; only 14% of voters reported being unfamiliar with the seasoned senator, compared to 39% for Husted.

“Husted shows a commanding 16-point lead among male voters and those without a college degree, as well as a 14-point advantage among individuals over 40,” explained Spencer Kimball, the executive director of Emerson College Polling. “Conversely, Brown leads by 13 points among voters under 40, by three points among women, and by eight points among independents.”

Brown’s Senate run follows speculation about a potential gubernatorial campaign, setting the stage for what promises to be a protracted and fiercely contested battle against Husted for the Senate seat. Husted was appointed to fill JD Vance’s vacated seat after Vance’s elevation to the vice presidency earlier this year, a move that has thrown the spotlight on Ohio’s political landscape.

A win for Brown could significantly bolster Democratic hopes as they embark on a challenging quest to regain Senate control by 2026. However, the latest polling data underscores the formidable challenges Brown faces in a state that is increasingly leaning Republican.

Notably, Brown isn’t the only Democrat struggling according to Friday’s survey. In a hypothetical race for governor, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy holds a 10-point lead over Democrat Amy Acton, with 49% support compared to Acton’s 39%, and 12% of voters still undecided. Acton, who gained notoriety as the public health director during the COVID-19 pandemic, has garnered support from Ohio’s Democratic electorate, but has also become a target for conservative criticism amid controversies surrounding school closures.

Although Acton is currently the sole declared Democratic candidate for governor, former Representative Tim Ryan is reportedly considering a run. In a hypothetical matchup against Ramaswamy, Ryan trails slightly, garnering 41% to Ramaswamy’s 49%, with 10% of voters undecided. Interestingly, Ramaswamy seems to resonate well with younger voters, outperforming Husted among those under 30 by five points.

The Emerson poll also probed voter perceptions regarding the fairness of the state’s congressional district maps. It’s a hot topic, especially since Ohio is required to redraw its congressional lines this year, following a map that was passed solely with Republican support after the 2020 Census.

Responses revealed that 41% of participants believe the state’s congressional maps were crafted to favor Republicans, while only 23% think they are drawn fairly, and a mere 8% believe they advantage Democrats. A substantial 29% remained unsure about the matter.

As Ohio prepares for the redistricting process, there is a palpable sense of urgency among Democrats who are determined to challenge the potential for a map that could further entrench Republican power. With the GOP currently holding a majority in both the legislature and the state’s redistricting board, the odds seem stacked against Democrats as they attempt to push back against what many view as a partisan maneuvering.

The Emerson College survey was conducted among 1,000 active registered voters in Ohio between August 18-19, 2025, and carries a credibility interval of plus or minus 3 percentage points.