Ohio Senate Race: Candidates Clash on Data Center Incentives and War Powers

More than one million Ohio residents have cast ballots early in the final week before the general election. The two candidates for the U.S. Senate seat, incumbent Republican Jon Husted and Democratic challenger Sherrod Brown, have focused their final messaging on data center economics, the war in Iran, and immigration enforcement.

Brown’s campaign centers on Husted’s record with data centers. The Democrat claims Husted authorized $2.5 billion in tax incentives for the sector. That figure is a seven-year estimate from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce that combines state and local exemptions. The National Republican Senatorial Committee disputed the framing in a memo, calling data centers a liability rather than an asset for the incumbent.

Husted responded to the criticism in Massillon in August. He accused Brown of changing his stance on the industry after previously celebrating its arrival in Ohio. Husted sponsored a bill to force data centers to cover their own utility costs. Democrats in the state Senate rejected the measure as ineffective. While Congress controls federal tax incentives, states and localities retain the authority to set specific rules or bans for data centers.

The war in Iran is the second major point of contention. Husted stated in September that he voted against a Democrat-backed war powers resolution to end hostilities. He cited the need to prevent Iran from controlling the Strait of Hormuz or developing a nuclear weapon. Brown countered that Husted voted 14 times against the resolution and other procedural efforts to bring the issue to the Senate floor. Brown argued that ending the conflict should be the first priority for Democrats.

Immigration policy distinguishes the candidates based on their past voting records. Husted referenced Brown’s three terms in the Senate to argue that Democrats supported open borders. Husted claimed in Dallas in September that Democrats voted to give tax dollars to illegal immigrants. That specific claim stems from Brown’s vote for the American Rescue Plan, which provided $1,400 checks to qualified individuals but excluded undocumented immigrants.

Brown has taken a harder line on immigration than some of his party colleagues. He supported stricter border policies and opposed calls to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He stated in August that the goal is to deport violent criminals and adopt policies that benefit businesses and communities. However, Brown expressed opposition to ending Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from countries like Haiti.

Speaking in Dayton in September, Brown said he would not deport contributors to the country unless they were dangerous criminals. Husted supported the Trump administration’s decision to end TPS for Haitians in July. He noted that Springfield has new job opportunities available and stated that approximately 30% of affected Haitians believe they have another legal pathway to remain in the United States. Husted said he is working with authorities to process those claims in a civil manner.

The winner will serve the remainder of the term for the seat vacated by Vice President JD Vance. Vance won the election in 2022 and would be required to run again in 2028 to retain the position.