A recent Fox News poll indicates that economic concerns and voter apprehensions regarding Republican incumbent Senator Jon Husted's connections to President Trump are influencing the Ohio Senate race between Husted and former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown. Brown is attempting to reclaim his Senate seat after losing it in 2024. The poll shows that inflation is the primary issue for 40% of Ohio registered voters, surpassing concerns about healthcare, immigration, and political divisions. The percentage of Ohioans reporting their financial situation as 'falling behind' has increased from 28% in 2020 to 38% now, with these voters favoring Brown by a margin of 40 points.
Despite Donald Trump winning Ohio by 11 points in 2024, Husted faces challenges due to 51% of voters expressing concerns about his ties to Trump, a rise from 46% in June. The poll also reveals that 87% of Republicans support Husted, while 97% of Democrats back Brown. Additionally, Brown receives 11% crossover support from Republicans and 25% from non-MAGA Republicans, along with support from two-thirds of independents.
Currently, Brown leads Husted by 8 points, with 53% to 45%, a margin that has remained unchanged since June. Among highly motivated voters, Brown's lead expands to 10 points. Brown has strong support among liberals, urban voters, and younger voters, while Husted is favored by conservatives and rural residents. The poll also highlights that both candidates have significant unfavorable ratings, with Brown at 51% favorable and Husted at 43% favorable. Voter dissatisfaction with both major parties and national figures is notable, with majorities of Ohioans holding unfavorable views of both the Democratic and Republican parties, as well as Trump and the MAGA movement. In the Ohio governor's race, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy holds a slight lead over Democrat Amy Acton, with 50% to 48%. The poll was conducted from August 6-10, 2026, with a sample of 1,008 registered voters.