Ohio has re-emerged as a major 2026 midterm battleground as the Cook Political Report rates both its gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races as toss-ups. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy has spent $101 million in his governor campaign against Democrat Amy Acton amid economic concerns over plant closures like Schwebel's bakery. Meanwhile, Democrat Sherrod Brown leads Republican Senator Jon Husted 48% to 44% in recent polling, reflecting broader GOP headwinds and Democratic momentum across red states.
Ohio gubernatorial race between Ramaswamy and Acton
- ▪Democratic candidate Amy Acton and her supporting groups have spent approximately one-third of Vivek Ramaswamy's media total in the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial race.
- ▪In the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial primary, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy received Donald Trump's endorsement, but primary opponent Casey Putsch still won nearly 20% of the vote.
- ▪The Cook Political Report rates the 2026 Ohio gubernatorial race between Republican Vivek Ramaswamy and Democrat Amy Acton as a toss-up.
- ▪Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and his supporting groups have spent $101 million on advertisements in the 2026 Ohio governor's race, including $36 million from Ramaswamy's personal funds.
Ohio Senate race between Husted and Brown
- ▪A Marist University poll released in October 2026 shows Democrat Sherrod Brown leading Republican Senator Jon Husted 48% to 44% in the Ohio Senate race.
- ▪Incumbent Republican Senator Jon Husted broke with President Donald Trump by stating that the war with Iran needs to end to lower gas prices.
- ▪The Cook Political Report rates the 2026 Ohio U.S. Senate race between Republican Senator Jon Husted and Democratic former Senator Sherrod Brown as a toss-up.
Economic concerns and job losses in Ohio
- ▪The Schwebel's bakery in Youngstown shut down after 120 years of operation, and AT&T is closing a call center in nearby Boardman, Ohio.
- ▪Ohio voters and local labor leaders in Mahoning County cite rising prices, plant closures, and lost manufacturing jobs as primary concerns in the 2026 midterm elections.
Donald Trump's campaign activities and approval rating
- ▪President Donald Trump held a campaign rally in Youngstown, Ohio on October 12, 2026.
- ▪President Donald Trump's presidential approval rating stood at 38% in the Silver Bulletin polling average, affected by economic fatigue and the war with Iran.
- ▪President Donald Trump is traveling to conduct campaign rallies in red states including Kansas, Iowa, Florida, and North Carolina ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Competitive midterm Senate races in other states
- ▪The Cook Political Report shifted its rating for the Kansas U.S. Senate race from lean Republican to toss-up, with an October 2026 poll showing Republican Roger Marshall leading Democrat Adam Hamilton 47% to 46%.
- ▪In Texas, a University of Houston survey released in October 2026 showed Democratic state Representative James Talarico leading Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton 48% to 46%.
- ▪An Elon University poll released on October 20, 2026 shows Democratic former Governor Roy Cooper leading Republican Michael Whatley 52% to 39% in the North Carolina Senate race.
- ▪In Iowa, a Marist poll released on October 15, 2026 showed Democratic state Representative Josh Turek leading Republican Ashley Hinson 48% to 45%.
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