COLUMBUS, Ohio — Democrat Sherrod Brown won Ohio’s U.S. Senate race for the unexpired term ending Jan. 3, 2029, the Scioto Valley Guardian projects, defeating Republican Jon Husted in a contest that stayed close through the night.
With 7,927 of 8,834 precincts reporting, or 90%, Brown had 48.6% of the vote (2,054,121 votes) to Husted’s 46.5% (1,962,029 votes), according to unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State. Libertarian William Redpath had 2.8% (120,082 votes) and independent Greg Levy had 2.0% (86,148 votes).
The Scioto Valley Guardian’s projection was based on an analysis of unofficial returns when 7,914 of 8,834 precincts had reported and Brown held a 2.2-point lead of 92,393 votes, a margin that held as more precincts reported.
Statewide, 4,250,651 ballots had been cast out of 8,018,054 registered voters, a turnout of 53.0%, according to the Secretary of State’s reporting. The Secretary of State’s office reported 4,067 outstanding UOCAVA absentee ballots and 52,036 outstanding provisional ballots still to be counted toward the official canvass.
In the state’s other marquee race, Democrat Amy Acton, running with David Pepper, won the governor’s race, the Guardian projects, defeating Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and his running mate, Robert McColley. Acton had 50.9% (2,147,182 votes) to Ramaswamy’s 45.7% (1,927,826 votes), with Libertarian Don Kissick and running mate James Mills at 3.4% (141,360 votes), with 90% of precincts reporting.
Other statewide races remained uncalled with 90% of precincts reporting. Republican Keith Faber led Democrat John Kulewicz for attorney general, 51.2% to 48.8%. Republican Frank LaRose led Democrat Annette Blackwell for auditor, 52.2% to 47.8%. Democrat Allison Russo led Republican Robert Sprague for secretary of state, 48.8% to 48.2%. Republican Jay Edwards led Democrat Seth Walsh for treasurer, 50.9% to 49.1%. In the two Ohio Supreme Court races, Republican Daniel Hawkins led Democrat Marilyn Zayas 50.5% to 49.5%, while Republican Colleen O’Donnell and Democrat Jennifer Brunner were tied at 50.0% each. The Guardian projects that State Issue 3, which would require voters to show photo identification, passed, with 66.0% voting yes to 34.0% voting no.
In the Scioto Valley Guardian’s coverage area, Husted carried every county in the Senate race. In Ross County, with all 65 precincts reporting, Husted had 58.4% (14,390 votes) to Brown’s 36.9% (9,097 votes), a 9.3-point margin, with Redpath at 3.1% (756 votes) and Levy at 1.7% (417 votes). Turnout there was 54.9% of 24,858 ballots cast.
In Pickaway County, all 46 precincts reporting, Husted led Brown 62.9% to 31.7%, or 13,926 votes to 7,031 votes, a 26-point margin. Redpath had 3.4% (755 votes) and Levy had 2.0% (433 votes), with turnout at 57.9% of 22,379 ballots cast.
In Fayette County, with all 25 precincts reporting, Husted won 67.0% (6,083 votes) to Brown’s 27.4% (2,485 votes), a 32-point margin. Redpath had 3.5% (314 votes) and Levy had 2.1% (194 votes); turnout was 54.5% of 9,213 ballots cast.
In Highland County, where just 9 of 31 precincts had reported, or 29%, Husted led 69.5% (7,706 votes) to Brown’s 24.1% (2,671 votes), a 29-point margin, with Redpath at 4.1% (452 votes) and Levy at 2.4% (262 votes). Turnout there stood at 40.9% of 11,091 ballots cast.
In Pike County, all 22 precincts reporting, Husted carried 62.7% (5,348 votes) to Brown’s 31.5% (2,683 votes), a 31.3-point margin, with Redpath at 3.6% (311 votes) and Levy at 2.1% (183 votes). Turnout was 50.8% of 8,693 ballots cast.
In Vinton County, all 20 precincts reporting, Husted won 64.7% (2,526 votes) to Brown’s 28.1% (1,096 votes), a 24.6-point margin, with Redpath at 5.1% (199 votes) and Levy at 2.1% (82 votes). Turnout was 49.5% of 3,992 ballots cast.
In Scioto County, all 77 precincts reporting, Husted led Brown 60.2% to 34.7%, or 12,944 votes to 7,464 votes, a 22.4-point margin, with Redpath at 2.8% (603 votes) and Levy at 2.3% (487 votes). Turnout was 51.0% of 21,782 ballots cast.
Live, county-by-county results for all races can be found on the Scioto Valley Guardian’s election results map at https://sciotovalleyguardian.com/election-results-2026/.
Results are unofficial until certified by the Ohio Secretary of State. Source: Ohio Secretary of State election night reporting. See the live map: https://sciotovalleyguardian.com/election-results-2026/
