Poll shows Democrats ahead in Ohio Senate, governor race

A new poll shows Democratic candidates leading in two of Ohio’s most critical statewide races, signaling potential challenges for Republicans in a state that has recently favored their party. The survey, conducted in late May and early June, finds former Senator Sherrod Brown holding an eight-point advantage over appointed Republican Senator Jon Husted in the U.S. Senate contest, while Democrat Amy Acton holds a narrow one-point edge over Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in the gubernatorial race.

In the Senate race, 53 percent of Ohio voters said they would support Brown compared to 45 percent for Husted if the election were held today. Brown, a former senator who lost his seat in 2024, benefits from higher favorability ratings, with 53 percent viewing him favorably against 44 percent unfavorably. Husted is viewed favorably by 41 percent and unfavorably by 50 percent. The poll indicates nearly half of Ohio voters believe Husted is too closely aligned with former President Donald Trump, whose own standing in the state has declined. Trump is viewed favorably by 42 percent of Ohio voters and unfavorably by 57 percent, a net negative shift from his double-digit victory in the state in...