Jon Husted

Jon Husted is a Republican politician currently serving as the junior United States Senator from Ohio, having been appointed to the seat in January 2025 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of JD Vance. Prior to his appointment to the Senate, Husted served as the 66th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio from 2019 to 2025. His extensive career in Ohio state government includes service as the 50th Ohio Secretary of State from 2011 to 2019, as well as terms in the Ohio Senate (2009–2011) and the Ohio House of Representatives (2001–2009). During his final four years in the state house, he served as the 99th Speaker of the House. Husted was born on August 25, 1967, in Royal Oak, Michigan, and was adopted as an infant before being raised in Montpelier, Ohio. He earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Arts in Communication from the University of Dayton, where he was also an All-American defensive back on the 1989 Division III National Championship football team. Before entering public office, he worked for the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners and as a vice president for the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. In the 119th Congress, he serves on committees including Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and Environment and Public Works.

Husted's stated positions focus on fiscal conservatism, economic development, and workforce training. He has consistently advocated for income tax cuts and regulatory reform, famously leading the passage of the largest tax cut in Ohio history during his tenure as Speaker of the House. He is a strong proponent of vocational education, having launched programs like 'TechCred' to facilitate industry-recognized skills training. In the realm of election policy, his philosophy of 'easy to vote and hard to cheat' emphasized election integrity through modernized registration and uniform voting standards. In the U.S. Senate, Husted has supported increased border security measures and legislation aimed at addressing the fentanyl crisis and protecting women's sports. On social issues, he holds a pro-life stance and is a supporter of the Second Amendment. His foreign policy views include a critical stance toward the Iran Nuclear Deal and firm support for Israel, involving the co-sponsorship of expanded sanctions against Iran's energy exports.