Jon Husted was born August 25, 1967, in Royal Oak, Michigan, adopted as an infant, and raised in Montpelier, Ohio. He earned both his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Dayton, where he also played football.
He entered public life in the Ohio House of Representatives in 2001, rising quickly to become Speaker from 2005 to 2009. He later served in the Ohio Senate, then as Ohio Secretary of State (2011–2019), where he built a reputation as a business-friendly conservative focused on cutting red tape and tightening election administration rules.
In 2018, he became Lieutenant Governor alongside Gov. Mike DeWine and was re-elected in 2022. On January 21, 2025, DeWine appointed Husted to the U.S. Senate after J.D. Vance vacated the seat to become Vice President. Husted will serve until a November 2026 special election decides who completes the term.
Husted brands himself as a steady, pro-growth Republican — comfortable with corporate investment, chip and EV supply chain incentives, and big-ticket infrastructure deals — more “economic development and stability” than culture-war fire. He’s pitching himself to Ohio donors and older suburban Republicans as the experienced adult in the room.
Mainstream Conservative
Achievements
- Long tenure in Ohio government: Speaker of the House, Secretary of State, Lieutenant Governor
- Appointed to the U.S. Senate in January 2025 with backing from the state GOP establishment
- Known for “economic competitiveness” messaging — talent pipeline, advanced manufacturing, supply chain resiliency
- Early Senate floor speeches focused on debt, entitlement solvency, and bipartisan deal-making tone
Controversies
- Critics argue his path to the Senate “skipped voters” by relying on gubernatorial appointment instead of a primary
- Democrats tie him rhetorically to Ohio’s broader GOP ethics scandals and utility-influence cases, even though he hasn’t been charged
- Populist conservatives sometimes view him as too cozy with corporate interests and tech/EV incentives
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Republican Party | $111,105 | — | — |
| Civic Volunteer | $40,000 | — | — |
| Retired | $23,650 | — | — |
| Housewife | $20,000 | — | — |
| Homemaker | $16,750 | — | — |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individual donors or aligned PACs unless noted.