October 20, 2026
Midterm Elections in Ohio, October 2026
Brown Up 4 Points Against Husted in Ohio Senate Race... Acton Up by 7 in the Governor's Race
In the race for U.S. Senate in Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown edges Republican Jon Husted by four points among likely voters statewide. Among registered voters in the state, Brown opens up a nine-point lead, comparable to the eight-point advantage he had in September. The Democrats also have the advantage in Ohio’s gubernatorial contest where Amy Acton is ahead of her Republican opponent Vivek Ramaswamy by seven points among likely voters. Acton had a similar six-point lead among registered voters in September. On the generic congressional ballot question, just two points separate the Democratic candidate and the Republican running for Congress among likely voters. Among registered voters, the Democrats open up a five-point advantage, notched up slightly from three points last month. Negative sentiment toward President Donald Trump and concerns about personal finances continue to permeate the electoral landscape in Ohio.
- Four points separate Brown (48%) and Husted (44%), among Ohio likely voters, in the U.S. Senate race in Ohio. Among independents who say they are likely to vote, Brown (50%) has a 15-point advantage against Husted (35%). Half of Ohio likely voters (50%) think Brown will actually win the Senate seat, not Husted (45%).
- On the generic congressional ballot question, 49% of likely voters statewide say they are more likely to vote for the Democrat running for Congress in their district, and 47% report they intend to support the Republican. The Democrats (53%) have the advantage against the Republicans (39%) among independents who are likely to vote. However, Ohio likely voters say they think the Republican congressional candidate (52%) will actually win the election.
- A plurality of likely voters in Ohio (40%) say their vote for Congress is mainly a vote against President Trump. 21% say their ballot is mainly a vote for President Trump, and 38% say the president has little bearing on their vote for Congress. Among those who say President Trump is not impacting their vote, a majority approve of the job he is doing in office.
- In the race for governor, Acton (50%) leads Ramaswamy (43%) by seven points among Ohio likely voters. Among independents, 53% support Acton to 34% for Ramaswamy. However, nearly half of Ohio likely voters (49%) think Ramaswamy will win the election, not Acton (45%).
- President Trump's job approval rating among Ohio likely voters is upside down (43% approve to 55% disapprove).
- 44% of Ohio likely voters say their personal family finances have gotten worse during the last year. 36% report they have stayed about the same, and 18% think they have gotten better. Democrats (61%) and independents (52%) are more likely than republicans (23%) to say their finances have deteriorated during the last year.
Methodology
This Marist Poll Ohio survey of 1,176 Ohio registered voters was conducted October 15th through October 18th, 2026 by the Marist Poll. Registered voters 18 years of age and older residing in Ohio were contacted through a multi-mode design: By phone using live interviewers, by text, or online. Results for registered voters are statistically significant within ±3.9 percentage points. Results for likely voters are statistically significant within ±4.5 percentage points.