One in four likely Ohio voters mistakenly believe former Sen. Sherrod Brown is still serving in the U.S. Senate, according to a new Bowling Green State University/YouGov poll.

Brown left the Senate in January 2025 after losing his 2024 reelection bid to Republican Bernie Moreno. Republican Jon Husted, who was appointed to the Senate after Vice President JD Vance resigned his seat, is now running for a full term against Brown in the 2026 special election.

Despite Brown no longer holding federal office, 25% of respondents in the September BGSU/YouGov survey incorrectly identified him as an incumbent senator. By comparison, 90% correctly identified Republicans as controlling Congress.

The poll surveyed 1,000 likely Ohio voters from Sept. 1-10 and has a margin of error of 3.96 percentage points. The survey also found that Brown currently holds a narrow 48%-45% lead over Husted among respondents when asked about the Senate race. BGSU characterized the contest as statistically tied.

The survey found that Brown remains relatively well known to Ohio voters, recording a net favorability rating of plus-1. Husted, by contrast, registered a net favorability rating of minus-11. Brown's familiarity with Ohio voters comes after his nearly 18 years in the Senate and previous statewide campaigns.

Husted was appointed to Brown's former Senate seat in January 2025 following his tenure as Ohio's lieutenant governor. He is seeking to retain the seat in the November election, while Brown is attempting to return to the chamber.

The poll also found that respondents expect Husted to prevail despite the close race among their stated preferences. Fifty-three percent said Husted would win the election, compared with 45% who said Brown would win.

The findings come as Ohio's Senate race develops into one of the state's major contests of the 2026 election cycle, with voters set to decide whether Brown returns to the Senate or Husted completes his transition from appointed senator to elected incumbent.