Brown, who was narrowly defeated in 2024 by Republican challenger Bernie Moreno, is now on a comeback campaign. After he cruised to a primary win May 5, Brown is challenging Republican Sen. Jon Husted in his bid to return to the U.S. Senate.
Husted (pictured below) was Ohio’s lieutenant governor last year when Gov. Mike DeWine appointed him to the Senate seat vacated by J.D. Vance.
Tom Zawistowski, president of the tea party-affiliated We the People Convention, told AFN that Republicans are not being outspent by Democrats in the Husted vs. Brown race. That alone helps make the race competitive, he said.
“And so, all things being equal, and the fact that Ohio voters are definitely more conservative than left, the key is going to be turnout,” he stressed.
A poll conducted in April showed Husted ahead over Brown by three points, 50% to 47%. That poll of 1,000 registered voters was conducted by Bowling Green State University using YouGov.
Brown was an 18-year U.S. senator in 2024 when Moreno squeaked out a victory, winning the seat for Republicans with a 50%-46% win over the incumbent.
On the 2024 ballot, Ohioans chose Donald Trump over Kamala Harris 55%-43%. On that statewide ballot, however, Brown performed better than Harris - by about 120,000 votes - despite his defeat.
Looking ahead to November, Zawistowski said he is feeling positive and optimistic about Republican candidates on the ballot.
“I expect to win,” he said. “Not only will we hold the Senate seat, win the governorship, I think we may give President Trump an extra House seat in the 9th congressional district."
