Ohio voters will choose between Jon Husted and Sherrod Brown in the 2026 U.S. Senate election. The two candidates have significantly different records on several issues that matter to many Christian voters.
For Christians seeking to vote with a Well-Formed Conscience, campaign advertising shouldn’t be enough.
Look at the record. Look at the policies. Look at the votes.
Sherrod Brown on Abortion
Brown’s record on abortion rights is extensive.
In January 2018, Brown voted against advancing S.2311, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which generally sought to prohibit abortions after 20 weeks post-fertilization, subject to specified exceptions. The official Senate roll call records Brown voting “Nay.”
Brown later supported the Women’s Health Protection Act, federal legislation designed to establish statutory protections for abortion access.
Following Dobbs, Brown also joined senators urging the Biden administration to take additional steps to protect abortion access.
These aren’t campaign characterizations. They are documented positions and votes.
Brown on Gender Identity
Brown was also a cosponsor of the Equality Act, which sought to add federal protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity across areas including employment, housing, education and public accommodations.
In 2023, Brown joined eight senators asking the Biden administration to take additional steps to protect access to gender-affirming care. Their letter specifically addressed state restrictions affecting minors and asked the administration to consider measures including Medicaid coverage associated with traveling or relocating to obtain such care.
That record can legitimately be discussed. But accuracy matters.
Brown’s record on women’s sports requires more careful wording. In 2021, he voted against an amendment that would have conditioned federal education funding on schools recognizing sex based solely on reproductive biology and genetics at birth for purposes of athletics.
That establishes his vote on the amendment. It should not, however, be described as a direct vote establishing a nationwide right for transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports.
Jon Husted’s Record
Husted has taken substantially different positions on these particular issues.
In the Senate, Husted supported legislation making the Hyde Amendment’s restrictions on federal abortion funding permanent, saying that taxpayers with pro-life moral or religious beliefs should not be compelled to fund abortion.
His opposition to abortion also predates his service in Washington. As Ohio lieutenant governor, Husted publicly opposed Ohio’s 2023 reproductive-rights constitutional amendment and raised concerns about its potential effect on parental involvement.
Why the Record Matters
Christian voters don’t need to question either candidate’s humanity, speculate about motives, or attack someone’s character to evaluate an election.
We can examine what candidates have actually said, supported and voted for.
That is an important distinction.
A Christian can respect the dignity of both candidates while examining whether their policies are consistent with his or her moral convictions.
Don’t take my word for it. Look at their records.
Form your conscience. Examine the evidence. Vote policy, not personality.
Sources.
- U.S. Senate: 2018 S.2311 roll-call vote
- GovInfo: Equality Act, S.393
- Sen. Markey: 2023 gender-affirming-care letter signed by Brown
- Sen. Warren: Brown and colleagues on abortion access after Dobbs
- U.S. Senate: 2021 athletics amendment roll-call vote
- Sen. Husted: No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act/Hyde Amendment
- Statehouse News Bureau: Husted’s position on Ohio Issue 1 and parental consent