Summary
- Emerson College poll: Jon Husted leads Sherrod Brown.
- Husted at 50%, Brown at 44%, 7% undecided.
- Race for the last two years of Vance’s term.
- Poll comes over a year before the 2026 election.
- Husted backed by Trump; Brown is Democratic hopeful.
According to the poll, almost half of Ohioans are satisfied with President Donald Trump's performance, and billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy has a significant lead against former Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton in a possible gubernatorial contest.
This is the first Emerson College poll since Brown declared he would run against Husted for the seat. It has a margin of error of +/-3 percentage points and was sampled by cellphone among 1,000 Ohio voters who are currently registered to vote.
Brown was trailed by Husted 50% to 44%, with 7% still unsure. However, Husted only had a 33% favorable rating, whereas Brown had a 44% favorable view.
“Husted has a 16-point lead among male voters and voters without a college degree, and a 14-point lead among voters over 40. Brown has a 13-point lead among voters under 40, a three-point lead among women voters, and an eight-point lead among independent voters,”
Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said.
According to the same poll, Ramaswamy led Acton by 49% to 39%. As of right now, there are just two officially recognized contenders for governor. However, Tim Ryan, a former congressman, may choose to run.
Only 32% of respondents supported Republican Governor Mike DeWine, who is ineligible to seek a third term, compared to 49% who supported Trump's performance.
According to 44% of Ohio voters, the economy remains their top worry. At 15%, threats to democracy came in second, followed by health care (8%), and affordable housing (10%).
“Among voters whose top issue is threats to democracy, 82% think congressional district lines are being drawn to benefit the Republican Party,”
Kimball said.
According to Kimball, 82% of respondents whose top concern is dangers to democracy believe that the Republican Party is gaining an advantage in the drawing of congressional district lines.
How might Trump’s endorsement have shifted support for Husted?
Trump’s endorsement signaled to Republican voters and party officials that Husted is the preferred candidate, reducing the likelihood of serious primary challenges within the party.
As a former president popular in Ohio—winning the state by more than 11 points in 2024—Trump’s backing lent Husted increased visibility and credibility among Republican voters. Trump’s continued influence helps energize and solidify the Republican base, particularly voters who strongly identify with Trump’s political brand.
Despite some recent dips in Trump’s national approval ratings, Husted maintains that the endorsement remains a strength in Ohio. Polls show Husted holding a lead over Democrat Sherrod Brown, aided in part by Trump’s backing, which helps define the race’s political dynamics in this critical battleground state.