2026 Ohio Senate election

2026 Ohio Senate election
November 3, 2026 (2026-11-03)
17 of 33 seats in the Ohio Senate
17 seats needed for a majority
 
Leader Theresa Gavarone Nickie Antonio
(term-limited)
Party Republican Democratic
Leader since January 6, 2025 January 3, 2023
Leader's seat 2nd–Bowling Green 23rd–Lakewood
Last election 14 seats, 62.01% 3 seats, 37.99%
Current seats 24 9
Seats needed Steady Increase 8
Seats up 11 6
     Republican incumbent      Term-limited or retiring Republican
     Democratic incumbent      Term-limited or retiring Democrat
     No election
Incumbent President of the Senate

Rob McColley
Republican


The 2026 Ohio Senate election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect senators in 17 odd-numbered districts of the Ohio Senate.[1]

Outgoing incumbents

Republican

  1. District 1: Rob McColley is term-limited.
  2. District 5: Steve Huffman is term-limited.
  3. District 7: Steve Wilson is term-limited.
  4. District 13: Nathan Manning is term-limited.
  5. District 19: Andrew Brenner is term-limited.
  6. District 27: Kristina Roegner is term-limited.

Democratic

  1. District 15: Hearcel Craig is term-limited.
  2. District 23: Nickie Antonio is term-limited.

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
Sabato's Crystal Ball[2] Likely R January 22, 2026

Results

District2024 Pres.[3]IncumbentPartyElected SenatorOutcome
1st R+49.0 Rob McColley Rep TBD
3rd R+10.7 Michele Reynolds Rep TBD
5th R+36.3 Steve Huffman Rep TBD
7th R+16.9 Steve Wilson Rep TBD
9th D+49.1 Catherine Ingram Dem TBD
11th D+21.0 Paula Hicks-Hudson Dem TBD
13th R+10.8 Nathan Manning Rep TBD
15th D+56.8 Hearcel Craig Dem TBD
17th R+51.7 Shane Wilkin Rep TBD
19th R+20.8 Andrew Brenner Rep TBD
21st D+66.6 Kent Smith Dem TBD
23rd D+41.2 Nickie Antonio Dem TBD
25th D+31.3 Bill DeMora Dem TBD
27th R+5.8 Kristina Roegner Rep TBD
29th R+20.1 Jane Timken Rep TBD
31st R+43.0 Al Landis Rep TBD
33rd R+23.9 Alessandro Cutrona Rep TBD

List of districts

District 1 • District 3 • District 5 • District 7 • District 9 • District 11 • District 13 • District 15 • District 17 • District 19 • District 21 • District 23 • District 25 • District 27 • District 29 • District 31 • District 33

District 1

The 1st district includes a portion of Logan County and all of Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, and Williams counties.[4] The incumbent is Republican Rob McColley, who is the president of the Ohio Senate, who is term-limited and cannot run for re-election.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary
  • Jim Hoops, state representative from the 81st district (1999–2006, 2018–present)[6]

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Craig Riedel 22,242 50.99
Republican Jim Hoops 21,382 49.01
Total votes 43,624 100.0

District 3

The 3rd district includes the southern half of Franklin County and all of Madison and Pickaway counties.[4] The incumbent is Republican Michele Reynolds, who was elected with 52.7% of the vote in 2022.[8]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michele Reynolds (incumbent) 17,678 100.0
Total votes 17,678 100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Stacie Baker, Reynoldsburg city councilmember (2017–present)
Eliminated in primary
  • Natasha Wheatley-Caffrey, nonprofit professional

Results

Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stacie Baker 11,167 55.85
Democratic Natasha Wheatley-Caffrey 8,826 44.15
Total votes 19,993 100.0

District 5

The 5th district includes portions of Butler, Darke, and Montgomery counties and all of Miami and Preble counties.[4] The incumbent is Republican Steve Huffman, who is term-limited and cannot run for re-election.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
Did not file

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Phil Plummer 26,868 100.0
Total votes 26,868 100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Jeffrey Harris

Results

Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jeffrey Harris (write-in) 584 100.0
Total votes 584 100.0

District 7

The 7th district includes portions of Hamilton County and all of Warren County.[4] The incumbent is Republican Steve Wilson, who is term-limited and cannot run for re-election.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Zac Haines, marketing company CEO[12]
Eliminated in primary
  • Kim Lukens

Endorsements

Zac Haines
U.S. representatives

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Zac Haines 22,360 77.35
Republican Kim Lukens 6,549 22.65
Total votes 28,909 100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Cara Jacob, physician

Results

Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Cara Jacob 19,095 100.0
Total votes 19,095 100.0

District 9

The 9th district encompasses the city of Cincinnati.[4] The incumbent is Democrat Catherine Ingram, who was elected with 72.5% of the vote in 2022.[8]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Results

Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Catherine Ingram (incumbent) 29,593 100.0
Total votes 29,593 100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Linda Matthews

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Linda Matthews (write-in) 214 100.0
Total votes 214 100.0

District 11

The 11th district encompasses the city of Toledo.[4] The incumbent is Democrat Paula Hicks-Hudson, who was elected with 55.1% of the vote in 2022.[8]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Results

Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paula Hicks-Hudson (incumbent) 20,711 100.0
Total votes 20,711 100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • James Nowak, attorney

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James Nowak 8,565 100.0
Total votes 8,565 100.0

Libertarian primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Kenneth Sharp

Results

Libertarian primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Libertarian Kenneth Sharp 277 100.0
Total votes 277 100.0

District 13

The 13th district includes all of Lorain County and most of Huron County.[4] The incumbent is Republican Nathan Manning, who is term-limited and cannot run for re-election.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gayle Manning 20,979 100.0
Total votes 20,979 100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Joe Miller, state representative from the 53rd district (2019–present)

Results

Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joe Miller 24,808 100.0
Total votes 24,808 100.0

District 15

The 15th district encompasses the city of Columbus.[4] The incumbent is Democrat Hearcel Craig, who is term-limited and cannot run for re-election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Latyna Humphrey, state representative from the 2nd district (2023–present)

Results

Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Latyna Humphrey 28,462 100.0
Total votes 28,462 100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Joseph Healy

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph Healy 3,841 100.0
Total votes 3,841 100.0

District 17

The 17th district includes a portion of Perry County and all of Fayette, Highland, Hocking, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, and Vinton counties.[4] The incumbent is Republican Shane Wilkin, who was elected with 74.4% of the vote in 2022.[8]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Shane Wilkin (incumbent) 24,283 100.0
Total votes 24,283 100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Brian Deer, coach
Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brian Deer 9,436 100.0
Total votes 9,436 100.0

District 19

The 19th district includes all of Coshocton, Delaware, Holmes, and Knox counties.[4] The incumbent is Republican Andrew Brenner, who is term-limited and cannot run for re-election.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Ryan Rivers, former Orange township trustee[15]
Eliminated in primary
  • Beth Lear, state representative from the 61st district (2023–present)[16]

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ryan Rivers 18,344 51.84
Republican Beth Lear 17,042 48.16
Total votes 35,386 100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Results

Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Janet Wagner 17,874 100.0
Total votes 17,874 100.0

District 21

The 21st district includes the cities of Beachwood, Cleveland Heights, Euclid, Garfield Heights, Shaker Heights, and Warrensville Heights in suburban Cleveland.[4] The incumbent is Democrat Kent Smith, who was elected with 82.8% of the vote in 2022.[8]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary

Results

Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kent Smith (incumbent) 30,445 68.09
Democratic Delores Ford 14,271 31.91
Total votes 44,716 100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Mikhail Alterman, nominee for this district in 2022

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mikhail Alterman 3,401 100.0
Total votes 3,401 100.0

District 23

The 23rd district encompasses the cities of Cleveland, Lakewood, and Westlake.[4] The incumbent is Democrat Nickie Antonio, the minority leader of the Ohio Senate, who is term-limited and cannot run for re-election.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Results

Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bride Rose Sweeney 29,023 100.0
Total votes 29,023 100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Robert Dintaman

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Dintaman 6,008 100.0
Total votes 6,008 100.0

District 25

The 25th district encompasses the communities of Upper Arlington and Minerva Park.[4] The incumbent is Democrat Bill DeMora, who was elected with 72.6% of the vote in 2022.[8]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
Eliminated in primary
  • Jesse Baker

Results

Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bill DeMora (incumbent) 16,103 56.14
Democratic Jesse Baker 12,582 43.86
Total votes 28,685 100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Don Roberts, attorney

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Don Roberts 8,142 100.0
Total votes 8,142 100.0

District 27

The 27th district includes all of Portage County, as well as portions of Geauga and Summit counties.[4] The incumbent is Republican Kristina Roegner, who is term-limited and cannot run for re-election.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Demetriou 21,809 100.0
Total votes 21,809 100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Results

Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike Roberto 27,632 100.0
Total votes 27,632 100.0

District 29

The 29th district includes most of Stark County, including the communities of Alliance, Canton, Massillon, and Waynesburg.[4] The incumbent is Republican Jane Timken, who was appointed to the Senate in January 2025 following the death of Kirk Schuring.[20] Schuring was re-elected with no formal opposition in 2022.[8]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jane Timken (incumbent) 26,068 100.0
Total votes 26,068 100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Thomas West, former state representative from the 49th district (2017–2023)

Results

Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thomas West 22,087 100.0
Total votes 22,087 100.0

Libertarian primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Zach Moore

Results

Libertarian primary results[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Libertarian Zach Moore (write-in) 3 100.0
Total votes 3 100.0

District 31

The 31st district includes all of Muskingum, Tuscarawas, and Wayne counties, as well as portions of Guernsey and Stark counties.[4] The incumbent is Republican Al Landis, who was elected with no formal opposition in 2022.[8]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Al Landis (incumbent) 22,286 100.0
Total votes 22,286 100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee
  • Laura Sirot

Results

Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Laura Sirot 11,777 100.0
Total votes 11,777 100.0

District 33

The 33rd district includes all of Carroll, Columbiana, and Mahoning counties.[4] The incumbent is Republican Al Cutrona, who was elected with 60.9% of the vote in 2024.[22]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Results

Republican primary results[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Al Cutrona (incumbent) 22,963 100.0
Total votes 22,963 100.0

Democratic primary

Nominee

  • Michael Kripchak, businessman and former congressional candidate[23]

Results

Democratic primary results[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael Kripchak 20,087 100.0
Total votes 20,087 100.0

References

  1. ↑ "Ohio State Senate elections, 2026". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  2. ↑ Jacobson, Louis (January 22, 2026). "Handicapping The 2026 State Legislative Map: A First Look". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Dave's Redistricting". Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "Find Your Senator". Ohio Senate. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  5. ↑ Cummins, Todd (April 30, 2025). "Riedel eyes return to Statehouse with focus on tax cuts, school choice". WLIO. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  6. ↑ Cummins, Todd (April 14, 2025). "Hoops eyes Ohio Senate seat in 2026 election". WLIO. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "May 5, 2026 Primary/Special Election Official Canvass". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "2022 Ohio State Senate Election Results". Statesman Journal. November 8, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "May 5, 2026 Primary/Special Election Official Canvass". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  10. ↑ McPherson, LeAnne Marie (July 8, 2025). "State Rep. Phil Plummer seeks Ohio Senate seat in 2026". WDTN. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  11. ↑ Kreemer, Avery (May 14, 2025). "Ohio House speaker asked Rep. Creech to resign, removed him from committees after sexual misconduct probe". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Ohio State Senate elections, 2026". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 10 November 2025.
  13. ↑ "Week in review: October 26, 2025". The Ohio Society of CPAs.
  14. 1 2 "May 5, 2026 Primary/Special Election Official Canvass". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Rivers declares run for State Senate". Knox Pages. April 27, 2025. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Week in review: July 13, 2025". The Ohio Society of CPAs. July 11, 2025. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Democratic Candidates". Delaware County Democratic Primary. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  18. ↑ Schreck, Isabella (May 19, 2025). "Legislative update: Politicians talk House GOP budget, Demetriou runs for Ohio Senate". The Portager. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  19. ↑ https://signalohio.org/these-ohio-educators-were-fed-up-democrats-recruited-them-to-run-for-the-statehouse-election-2026/
  20. ↑ Trau, Morgan (January 27, 2025). "Former Ohio GOP Chair Jane Timken appointed to open state Senate seat". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  21. ↑ Springer, Grace (January 27, 2025). "Jane Timken will represent Stark County in Ohio Senate. Here are her plans for office". Canton Repository. Retrieved July 14, 2025. [Timken] said she plans to seek reelection.
  22. ↑ "2024 OH State Senate General Election Results". USA Today. November 5, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  23. ↑ Skolnick, David (January 31, 2026). "Kripchak files to challenge Cutrona for state senator". Salem News. Retrieved January 31, 2026.

Official campaign websites for 1st district candidates

Official campaign websites for 5th district candidates

Official campaign websites for 19th district candidates

Official campaign websites for 27th district candidates

Official campaign websites for 29th district candidates

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