Compare candidates running in this Ohio federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.
Party: Independent (Write-in)
Party: Independent (Party for Socialism and Liberation affiliated)
Party: Libertarian
Party: Democrat
Party: Democrat
Party: Republican
This special election is critical for Senate control. Republicans currently hold 53-45 majority and need to retain this seat in a swing-trending state to maintain their advantage against Democratic gains elsewhere.
Stephen Faris is described as an electrical engineer, U.S. Air Force veteran, and pro-life activist who is running as a write-in candidate in the November 2026 general election. He ran as a write-in candidate in the 2024 Senate race and is repeating his candidacy.
Gregory Levy is described in Politics1 as a communist political organizer, musician, and veteran affiliated with the Party for Socialism and Liberation. He is running as an independent candidate in the November 2026 general election.
Bill Redpath, born in Findlay, Ohio, is a former Libertarian National Committee chair and long-time libertarian activist and financial professional. He earned a BA from Indiana University (1978) in Economics and Political Science, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business (1980). Redpath has worked as a managing director at Summit Ridge Group in Chicago, conducting business valuation and financial consulting. He is a CPA, CFA charter holder, and Accredited Senior Appraiser. Redpath has been a Libertarian Party member since 1984 and served two terms as LNC chair (2006-2010), plus earlier and later service on the committee (1989-1993, 2003-2020). He was inducted into the Libertarian Party's Hall of Liberty in 2016 alongside Ron Paul and has run for office eight times as a Libertarian candidate.
Ron Kincaid, 66, is an IT professional and Special Olympics volunteer coach running as a political outsider against frontrunner Sherrod Brown in the Democratic primary. Born in Dayton and raised in Centerville, Kincaid now lives in Upper Arlington outside Columbus. He has spent his career as a software designer and later in policy research focusing on health care and income inequality. Kincaid positions himself as offering a 'different path' for Democrats, arguing that traditional approaches have failed to connect with Ohio voters, particularly after 2024 election losses.
Sherrod Campbell Brown, 71, is a veteran left-wing populist Democrat and Ohio native. Born November 9, 1952, in Mansfield, Ohio, he graduated from Yale University and Ohio State University. Brown served in the Ohio House (starting 1975), as Ohio Secretary of State (1983-1991), in the U.S. House representing Ohio's 13th district (1993-2007), and in the U.S. Senate (2007-2025). He chaired the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and served on Finance, Veterans' Affairs, and Ethics committees. In 2024, Brown narrowly lost his re-election bid to Republican Bernie Moreno by 3.5 percentage points. In August 2025, after establishing the Dignity of Work Institute think tank and consulting with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Brown announced his comeback campaign.
Jon Husted, 57, is a long-time Ohio Republican operative. Born in Michigan and adopted, he was raised in Ohio. He earned degrees from the University of Dayton. Husted served in the Ohio House (2001-2009, including as Speaker 2005-2009), Ohio Senate (2009-2011), Ohio Secretary of State (2011-2019), and Lieutenant Governor (2019-2025) before his January 2025 Senate appointment. He is a close ally of Governor Mike DeWine and received President Trump's endorsement for the Senate seat.
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Brown's 32 years of service show 'unparalleled track record,' while Kincaid's outsider status lacks necessary experience
Brown campaign focused on his legislative record when Kincaid began challenging his primary candidacy
Brown 'imposed Washington problems on Ohio for 30 years, pushing radical liberal policies' and 'created health care problems'
Husted frames Brown as Washington insider, though Brown has spent entire career opposing Washington consensus on trade and manufacturing. Health care criticism ignores Brown's role fighting for ACA expansion.
Brown represents return to 'the days of Sherrod Brown and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris'
Republicans linking Brown to unpopular Biden administration, though Brown was often critical of Biden's trade policy compromises
Husted is making life harder for working families through support for 'billionaires tax cuts' and health care policies that harm ordinary Ohioans
Brown contrasts Husted's voting record on taxes and health care with his own pro-worker, pro-Medicare/Social Security record
Husted-backed Medicaid cuts threaten Ohio hospitals and health care access
April 2026 report highlighted at least 9 Ohio hospitals at high risk due to Medicaid reductions
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