Former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (left) and U.S. Senator Jon Husted (right). (Photos from WEWS)
AND fresh survey by GOP, former Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown has a two-point lead over incumbent Ohio GOP Sen. Jon Husted in the 2026 election.
In terms of health care, insurance premiums, deductibles and co-payments were also found to be the greatest concerns.
The same poll found veteran U.S. Republican Sen. Susan Collins tied with two Democrats in the ranked-choice contest for the Maine seat.
Like Ohio, voters there said the biggest health concern was insurance costs.
The races are closely watched. With the President Donald Trump’s popularity declineswhat was a challenging map for Democrats now shows a chance to win a majority may be within your reach.
The telephone survey was conducted by OnMessage Public Strategies March 3-8. 600 likely voters were surveyed in each state.
With a four-point margin of error, Brown led 47-45 over Husted. Eight percent were undecided.
Collins, with 42% support, was two points behind Graham Platner, a Democrat, and tied with Janet Mills, also a Democrat. About 15% were undecided.
New York Times Survey tracking showed that Husted had consistent leads in surveys conducted last year. But he and Brown are neck and neck in the three conducted so far in 2026.
Just as intriguing as the horse racing are the health care survey results.
Respondents were asked which part of the health care system caused them the most problems.
In Ohio, 37% said insurance companies, 14% said pharmaceutical companies, 12% said hospital systems, and 6% said drug intermediaries, known as pharmacy benefit managers.
Responses were similar among Maine voters.
Each of the three largest drug brokers is owned by a huge insurer, so although respondents cited various problems with the health care system, many likely had separate problems with the same companies.
Respondents from Ohio and Maine seemed to be clear about what irritates them most about the health care system. They were asked what would be most helpful in reducing health care costs and were given several choices.
By far the most frequently chosen solution was “attacking insurance companies for overpricing, raising premiums and denying coverage,” with 37% saying this in Ohio and 40% in Maine.
Given voters’ concerns about health care, Husted and Collins will likely face questions in the coming months.
Pandemic-era subsidies for insurance on the exchanges under the Affordable Care Act expired slow last year when the extensive majority of Republicans voted against their renewal.
Prices skyrocketed, enrollments dropped and were underestimated 4.8 million Americans are expected to lose their health insurance completely this year, according to the Urban Institute.
Husted, who had previously voted against extending the subsidies, in December proposed freezing spending at current levels and extending it for two years, which would effectively mean cuts to those receiving it.
Collins was one of four Republicans who voted in favor of trying to extend the subsidy for three years. But early last year she voted against extension.
Collins and Ohio’s other U.S. senator, Republican Bernie Moreno, have proposed a two-year extension with its own restrictions.
None of the proposals received the required 60-vote majority and the subsidies expired.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
