Sen. Jon Husted says he’s scoring more Ohio sheriff approval ratings than Brown

FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Jon Husted received a record 75 endorsements from Ohio’s 88 county sheriffs, marking the largest show of support for law enforcement in the state’s history, including a “clean sweep” of Independent sheriffs and a show of support from across party lines.

“They’ve seen on a national level people like Sherrod Brown deny this border problem, where millions of people are pouring across our border without being vetted,” Husted told Fox News Digital. “That included people delivering drugs and human trafficking.”

He explained his belief that the immigration and crime policies enacted under the Biden administration made lawmakers hesitant to support Brown, a husted Democratic challenger in November who aims to return to the Senate after being ousted in 2024 after 18 years in the chamber.

Local sheriffs feel abandoned by previous federal policies, according to Husted.

“They told me that they will arrest people who are in this country illegally, they will put them in their jails, they will call Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE will just say ‘let them go,'” said Husted.

HUSTED FILES FOR 2026 SENATE RACE, INTRODUCING PUSH TO RETURN LOST ELECTIONS

Husted argued that the current return to enforcement policies in the Trump administration has changed the game for those on the ground.

“These are great people,” Husted said. “That’s what they face. They know the difference between where Sherrod Brown was in those problems… and where I went. Now they see the opposite. If they arrest someone who has committed a crime, who is in the country illegally, they just call ICE, ICE comes and takes them, and they go through the deportation process.”

The list of officials supporting Husted includes the official who once was Husted’s rival, Sherrod Brown. Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn, who endorsed Brown in the last round, is now firmly behind Husted.

“Jon Husted has proven that he will stand up for law enforcement,” Wasylyshyn said in a press release. “In this race he got my support, I have seen his leadership, I hope that he will continue to support those we work with to keep our communities safe.

Additionally, the mayor of Brown’s home state of Richland is supporting Husted.

Husted also framed the issue of crime as a struggle for everyday Ohioans, noting that “working families” don’t have the luxury of private security like some of the more prominent critics of crime.

BLUE CITY’S 40% VIOLENT CRIME SETS ‘BLUEPRINT FOR OTHER CITIES,’ LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERT SAYS.

Sen. Sherrod Brown speaks at a campaign event at the Steubenville City Building in Steubenville, Ohio, on Oct. 11, 2024. (Justin Merriman/Bloomberg)

“If you’re a working person with four kids, making $80,000 a year, you don’t live in a gated community with officers and guards,” said Husted. “You live in neighborhoods where, many times, criminals try to come and steal cars, bring drugs and the like. And they don’t want that. That’s why working families support law and order. They support the law. They want people to follow the law, and they want the law to uphold the law.”

The congressman’s campaign reflected Husted’s long history of funding legislation. Throughout his tenure, he led efforts to invest more than $274 million in Ohio’s body camera law, training and health programs. He also spearheaded the creation of a statewide law enforcement recruitment agency to address critical workforce shortages.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM

Ohio’s Senate race is considered a key battleground because Democrats see it as a win that could destroy the GOP’s 53–47 majority. (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

“Jon Husted stood up for law enforcement when others turned their backs,” said Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas Riggenbach. “He has always stood by us, making sure we have the resources and support we need to do our job.”

For Husted, compliments are more than just numbers; they are proof of his long-term relationship with the police. “I’ve been following the police all my life,” Husted said. “They’re at the forefront of crime-fighting, and they know I’ve been turning my back. I support them, and they support me—and together, we’ll keep Ohio safe.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Brown’s campaign for comment.

Ohio’s Senate race is considered a key battleground because Democrats see it as a win that could destroy the GOP’s 53–47 majority, while Republicans need to hold it to prevent their already narrow margin from tightening further.