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Ohio Voters Prepare to Turn Down Sherrod Brown Once More: POLL

Brown’s Comeback Bid Faces Challenges in Ohio

Ohio voters seem to be losing enthusiasm for the potential return of former Senator Sherrod Brown, particularly following their decision to reject another former senator at the polls last November.

According to Emerson College’s recent polling, Brown officially entered the race for Ohio’s 2026 Senate seat on Monday. While Democrats have touted him as a key contender, it appears he’s up against significant challenges in defeating incumbent Jon Husted and securing another term in Washington. Despite being somewhat well-known, about 40% of voters still claim not to have heard of Husted, and only 14% have not recognized Brown, which, I think, speaks to the unpredictable nature of voter awareness.

In the first poll since his announcement, Brown is apparently more recognized than Husted, but the current senator leads by six points overall. Executive director Spencer Kimball noted that Husted has a notable 16-point edge among male voters and those without college degrees, along with a 14-point lead among voters older than 40. Conversely, Brown leads by 13 points among younger voters and holds a narrow lead with female and independent voters, which feels a bit more promising.

Brown previously ran for re-election in 2024 but fell short against Republican Bernie Moreno, losing by roughly four percentage points in a year when Trump won Ohio decisively.

In January, Governor Mike DeWine appointed Husted to fill the vacancy left by Vice President J.D. Vance. Husted, who has received Trump’s endorsement, seems poised for re-election in 2026 given his statewide experience. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has classified this contest as “Lean Republican,” which may not bode well for Brown.

Sigh. There are some troubling signs for Brown’s campaign, particularly as support for Trump remains strong among Ohio voters. Nearly half of them view Trump’s performance positively, with many also in favor of his immigration policies.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee has highlighted this poll on social media, likely gearing up to support Husted’s campaign fervently.

Overall, the Emerson College survey involved 1,000 active registered voters in Ohio and was conducted from August 18 to August 19. The margin of error stands at three percent, which adds a layer of uncertainty to these findings.

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