AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Ohio on Election Day

Ohio, once a presidential battleground state, has shifted toward the right over the past decade. The 2026 midterm races in the state - including a U.S. Senate seat, 15 U.S. House seats, and the governor's office - will determine if Republicans can maintain their dominance. These races feature some of the most competitive and expensive contests in the country.

Republican incumbent Jon Husted is challenging Democratic nominee Sherrod Brown for the Senate seat. Husted, who replaced JD Vance in the Senate seat in 2025 to serve out the remaining two years of his term, is facing pressure over his support for data center projects. Brown has criticized Husted and tied the war in Iran to rising gas prices.

Ohio's gubernatorial race is also highly competitive. Democrat Amy Acton, a physician, is running against former Republican presidential candidate and Trump ally Vivek Ramaswamy. Acton's tenure as Ohio's public health director during the pandemic has been controversial, leading to public backlash. Ramaswamy has defended his campaign's decision to publish an ad featuring Acton's estranged mother calling Acton a "liar." Trump has backed Ramaswamy, while DeWine called for the ad to be taken down.

In the 9th Congressional District, Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur is defending her seat against GOP opponent Derek Merrin. The 7th Congressional District's incumbent GOP Rep. Max Miller is facing an uphill battle after allegations of abuse from his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, who is also a senator.