6 hrs ago
Ohio Early Voting Opens as Both Parties Battle for Congress
People in Ohio have started voting early in elections that could affect which party controls Congress.
Some voters lined up before the polling place opened.
Ohio has a close race for a Senate seat and two competitive races for the House.
Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, is running against Republican Jon Husted for the Senate.
Republican Max Miller and Democrat Marcy Kaptur are also facing challengers for House seats.
Voters interviewed said they were worried about high prices and the economy.
Some were also concerned about the war with Iran and said campaign ads were misleading or unpleasant.
Republicans currently have narrow advantages in both parts of Congress.
Democrats hope to win enough seats to change that in the November 3 election.
Early voting began Tuesday in Ohio, with voters lining up before polling centers opened.
Ohio has a closely watched Senate special election and competitive races in two House districts.
Voters interviewed cited inflation, the economy, the Iran war and negative political advertising as concerns.
Democrat Sherrod Brown is challenging Republican Jon Husted; Republican Max Miller and Democrat Marcy Kaptur are defending House seats against challengers.
Republicans hold a 53–47 Senate majority and a 218–214 House advantage, while Democrats seek gains in the November 3 election.
- Who
- Ohio voters and candidates including Sherrod Brown, Jon Husted, Max Miller, Brian Poindexter, Marcy Kaptur and Derek Merrin.
- What
- Early voting has begun as candidates compete in a Senate special election and two closely watched House races.
- Where
- Ohio, including Medina County.
- When
- Early voting began Tuesday; Election Day is November 3. The Reuters report is dated October 6.
- Why
- The races could affect control of Congress, while voters cited economic concerns, the Iran war and campaign advertising as issues.
Democratic candidates and supporters
Republican candidates and supporters
Senate contest
Democratic candidates and supporters
Sherrod Brown is seeking a return to the Senate after serving 18 years; he has presented himself as a populist focused on workers and criticized trade deals.
Republican candidates and supporters
Republican Jon Husted is defending the seat in the special election.
7th District House contest
Democratic candidates and supporters
Brian Poindexter is challenging incumbent Max Miller; the Reuters report describes Poindexter as an ironworker and city council member.
Republican candidates and supporters
Miller is seeking a third term, has Trump's endorsement and raised far more campaign funds, according to Reuters; he denies domestic-violence allegations.
9th District House contest
Democratic candidates and supporters
Democratic incumbent Marcy Kaptur is seeking another term after narrowly holding her seat against Merrin in 2024.
Republican candidates and supporters
Republican Derek Merrin is challenging Kaptur again after nearly defeating her in 2024.
Voter views on the parties
Democratic candidates and supporters
One voter interviewed by Reuters said she would vote for all Democrats and reported seeing some Trump supporters abandon him.
Republican candidates and supporters
A Republican-leaning voter interviewed by Reuters said he generally favored Republican candidates and disliked the direction of the Democratic Party, while expressing frustration with Trump's statements about when the Iran war would end.
Key facts
- Senate race
- Democrat Sherrod Brown is challenging Republican Jon Husted in a special election; the winner will hold the seat through 2028.
- Ohio House races
- In the 7th District, Max Miller faces Brian Poindexter; in the 9th District, Marcy Kaptur faces Derek Merrin.
- Senate balance
- Republicans hold a 53–47 majority; Democrats are seeking a net gain of at least four seats to take control.
- House balance
- Republicans hold a 218–214 advantage; the Reuters report also notes one Republican-aligned independent and two vacancies.
- Inflation
- The articles report Ohio inflation at around 3.4%, alongside concerns about food, energy and housing costs.
- Medina County voters
- The Reuters report says the county has 132,345 registered voters, including 29,466 Republicans, 15,872 Democrats and 86,762 independents.
- Election date
- November 3.
Quotes
Eddie St. John
An 83-year-old retired worker and Medina County voter.
“I’m tired of him saying the war’s going to end in two weeks, the war’s going to end next month…I’m getting fed up with that.”
theprint.in
“I’ve lost friends that I’ve had for 50 years.”
theprint.in
Sources
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