Republican Senator Jon Husted is strengthening his campaign for reelection in Ohio by securing endorsements from former supporters of his Democratic opponent, Sherrod Brown. With the 2026 primary approaching, Husted has garnered backing from several Ohio labor organizations that previously endorsed Brown during his unsuccessful bid for reelection in 2024.
Husted’s campaign is gaining momentum as he highlights early endorsements from influential labor groups, including the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 66 (IUOE). This union, which represents construction workers in northeastern Ohio, officially endorsed Husted on October 14, 2024. In their endorsement, the IUOE praised Husted for his proactive approach, stating he “leads with action, not just photo ops or political talking points.”
Shifting Alliances in Ohio Politics
Husted’s contention that he is eroding Brown’s traditional support base comes in the wake of Brown’s loss to Republican Bernie Moreno by over 200,000 votes in the last election. Husted commented on the shifting dynamics, saying, “Part of [Brown’s] coalition is already peeling off and supporting us with several of these early labor endorsements.”
In addition to the IUOE’s support, the IUOE Local 18 and the Northwest Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, which includes 18 local unions, have also publicly backed Husted. Moreno remarked on the situation, asserting that Brown’s diminishing support reflects a broader dissatisfaction with his tenure. “They’ve realized that Sherrod Brown did nothing for them all those years,” he stated.
As Husted prepares for the general election, he has received a significant boost from an endorsement by former President Donald Trump, which has helped to consolidate support within the Republican Party. Husted’s campaign is also benefiting from a unified Republican front, with endorsements exchanged between Husted and Vivek Ramaswamy, the leading candidate in Ohio’s gubernatorial race.
Labor Relations and Electoral Strategy
Husted attributes his growing support from labor groups to the trust he has built over two decades of public service, which includes roles as lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and speaker of the House. He emphasized the value of collaboration in job creation, stating, “When business and labor work together, along with public officials, we can create more jobs to grow the pie.”
The senator also expressed his admiration for labor leaders at the national level, highlighting Sean O’Brien, president of the Teamsters Union, who has been noted for his recent support of Republican candidates. The Teamsters’ Political Action Committee has contributed $4,000 to Husted’s campaign, marking a significant shift as the group has traditionally aligned with Democratic candidates.
Husted remains optimistic about the long-term alignment of working-class voters with the Republican Party, citing a disconnect between the Democratic Party and rank-and-file union members. He stated, “The working people of Ohio are aligned with Republicans more than they are with Democrats.”
Meanwhile, Brown has also secured endorsements from various local unions and maintains support from national labor organizations affiliated with the Democratic Party. As the race intensifies, Husted recently received the endorsement of the National Border Patrol Council, representing approximately 18,000 Customs and Border Protection agents. The council commended Husted for his commitment to border security.
As the political landscape evolves, Husted is positioning himself as a strong contender for the upcoming election, with recent polling indicating he holds a 2.5 percentage point lead over Brown, according to the RealClearPolitics aggregate. The Cook Political Report has classified the race as “Lean Republican,” reflecting the competitive nature of the contest ahead.
With key endorsements and shifting alliances, Husted’s campaign is setting the stage for a high-stakes battle in the Ohio Senate race, as both candidates work to energize their respective bases in the lead-up to the May 2026 primary.