Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Brown leads Husted in new Ohio Senate race poll, with healthcare costs a top concern. A new statewide poll shows a close U.S. Senate race in Ohio, with Democrat Sherrod Brown narrowly leading Republican Jon Husted and voters citing insurance costs as their top healthcare concern.
The survey of 600 likely voters, conducted March 3-8 by OnMessage Public Strategies for the Insurance Watchdog Coalition, found Brown with 47% support to Husted’s 45%, with 8% undecided. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points. The race will determine who completes the remainder of the term vacated by Vice President J.D. Vance.
The woman named in Ohio State University president’s resignation
Brown, seeking a political comeback after losing reelection in 2024, reported raising more than $7.3 million in the final three months of 2025 and had nearly $9.9 million on hand at the end of December. Husted, who was appointed to the Senate in January 2025, reported raising about $1.5 million during the same period and had roughly $6 million on hand at the end of the year.
A separate poll released last year by the Bowling Green State University Democracy and Public Policy Research Network also showed a narrow race, with Brown leading Husted 49% to 48%, within the margin of error. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Ohio’s 2026 U.S. Senate race in the video player above.
The OnMessage Public Strategies poll also asked voters about healthcare affordability and found insurance-related costs topping the list of concerns. About 72% of Ohio voters said their biggest healthcare cost worries involve health insurance prices, deductibles or coverage denials.
Among those surveyed, 29% said insurance premiums were their biggest concern, followed by deductibles and copays at 26%. Another 16% cited denials of insurance coverage. Just 9% identified prescription drug prices as their main concern.
When asked which part of the healthcare system policymakers should focus on most, 37% pointed to health insurance companies. Pharmaceutical companies were cited by 14% of respondents, followed by hospital systems at 12% and pharmacy benefit managers at 6%.
The survey also found broad support for policy proposals aimed at increasing transparency and oversight of insurers. About 90% of Ohio voters said they support requiring insurance companies to disclose how often they deny coverage for medications and treatments. A similar share backed requiring pharmacy benefit managers to pass negotiated drug savings directly to patients.
More than three-quarters of respondents, 78%, agreed with a statement saying that since President Donald Trump has negotiated deals aimed at lowering prescription drug prices, policymakers should now focus on reducing health insurance premiums and addressing coverage denials.
The poll also tested how different healthcare priorities might influence candidate preference. In Ohio, 60% of independents and 57% of undecided voters said they would prefer a candidate focused on lowering insurance premiums and addressing insurer practices over one focused on setting prescription drug prices at levels similar to those in other developed countries.
nbc4i.com/news/your-local-election-hq/brown-leads-husted-in-new-ohio-senate-race-poll-with-healthcare-costs-a-top-concern
#ohio #senate #sherrodbrown #oh #husted #democrats #midterms #election #progressivevoice #theprogressivevoice
Support The Show & Watch Exclusive Content: patreon.com/theprogressivevoice
Donate: paypal.me/theprogressivevoice
Listen to the audio podcast format on Itunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-progressive-voice/id1265065271?mt=2
Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/Progressvoice
Brown leads Husted in new Ohio Senate race poll, with healthcare costs a top concern. A new statewide poll shows a close U.S. Senate race in Ohio, with Democrat Sherrod Brown narrowly leading Republican Jon Husted and voters citing insurance costs as their top healthcare concern.
The survey of 600 likely voters, conducted March 3-8 by OnMessage Public Strategies for the Insurance Watchdog Coalition, found Brown with 47% support to Husted’s 45%, with 8% undecided. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points. The race will determine who completes the remainder of the term vacated by Vice President J.D. Vance.
The woman named in Ohio State University president’s resignation
Brown, seeking a political comeback after losing reelection in 2024, reported raising more than $7.3 million in the final three months of 2025 and had nearly $9.9 million on hand at the end of December. Husted, who was appointed to the Senate in January 2025, reported raising about $1.5 million during the same period and had roughly $6 million on hand at the end of the year.
A separate poll released last year by the Bowling Green State University Democracy and Public Policy Research Network also showed a narrow race, with Brown leading Husted 49% to 48%, within the margin of error. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Ohio’s 2026 U.S. Senate race in the video player above.
The OnMessage Public Strategies poll also asked voters about healthcare affordability and found insurance-related costs topping the list of concerns. About 72% of Ohio voters said their biggest healthcare cost worries involve health insurance prices, deductibles or coverage denials.
Among those surveyed, 29% said insurance premiums were their biggest concern, followed by deductibles and copays at 26%. Another 16% cited denials of insurance coverage. Just 9% identified prescription drug prices as their main concern.
When asked which part of the healthcare system policymakers should focus on most, 37% pointed to health insurance companies. Pharmaceutical companies were cited by 14% of respondents, followed by hospital systems at 12% and pharmacy benefit managers at 6%.
The survey also found broad support for policy proposals aimed at increasing transparency and oversight of insurers. About 90% of Ohio voters said they support requiring insurance companies to disclose how often they deny coverage for medications and treatments. A similar share backed requiring pharmacy benefit managers to pass negotiated drug savings directly to patients.
More than three-quarters of respondents, 78%, agreed with a statement saying that since President Donald Trump has negotiated deals aimed at lowering prescription drug prices, policymakers should now focus on reducing health insurance premiums and addressing coverage denials.
The poll also tested how different healthcare priorities might influence candidate preference. In Ohio, 60% of independents and 57% of undecided voters said they would prefer a candidate focused on lowering insurance premiums and addressing insurer practices over one focused on setting prescription drug prices at levels similar to those in other developed countries.
nbc4i.com/news/your-local-election-hq/brown-leads-husted-in-new-ohio-senate-race-poll-with-healthcare-costs-a-top-concern
#ohio #senate #sherrodbrown #oh #husted #democrats #midterms #election #progressivevoice #theprogressivevoice
Support The Show & Watch Exclusive Content: patreon.com/theprogressivevoice
Donate: paypal.me/theprogressivevoice
Listen to the audio podcast format on Itunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-progressive-voice/id1265065271?mt=2
Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/Progressvoice
