Amy Acton wins governor’s race, Sherrod Brown returns to Senate; John Kulewicz says Faber has conceded

Democrats won Ohio’s two biggest races Tuesday, and another statewide office appeared headed their way Wednesday morning.

Amy Acton was elected governor, and Sherrod Brown secured a return to the U.S. Senate. In the closely watched attorney general race, Democrat John Kulewicz said Republican Keith Faber called him Wednesday morning to concede.

Ohio voters also overwhelmingly approved putting the state’s photo ID voting requirement into the constitution. Election totals remain unofficial, with additional ballots still outstanding.

Acton promises to govern for all Ohioans
Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, becoming the first Democrat elected Ohio governor since 2006. She will take office alongside running mate David Pepper.

Early Wednesday returns showed Acton with about 52% of the vote, compared with roughly 45% for Ramaswamy and 3% for Libertarian Don Kissick. Nearly 99% of precincts were reporting statewide.

Her victory followed a bitter campaign that included widely criticized ads from Ramaswamy featuring Acton’s estranged mother.

Acton used her victory remarks to call for unity, saying she would work across party lines to lower costs, address corruption and create more opportunities for Ohio families.

“Regardless of who you voted for, I will be a governor for all Ohioans,” she said in an emailed statement.

She also praised her work with Republican Gov. Mike DeWine and pledged to continue his commitment to Ohio’s children.

“The healing begins today,” Acton said. “We must never give up on one another.”

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin congratulated Acton and Ohio organizers, pointing to affordability, education, jobs and support for working families as priorities for her administration.

Brown is headed back to Washington
Brown defeated Republican incumbent Jon Husted in the special election for the U.S. Senate term ending in January 2029.

Early Wednesday returns showed Brown with about 49.7% of the vote, compared with Husted’s 45.5%.

The win marks a comeback for Brown, who lost his previous Senate seat in 2024. Husted had been appointed to the seat vacated when JD Vance became vice president.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand welcomed Brown’s return in a joint statement, saying he would continue focusing on workers, American jobs and lowering costs.

Kulewicz says Faber conceded attorney general race
The attorney general contest was one of Ohio’s tightest statewide races overnight. Early Wednesday figures showed Faber ahead by fewer than 6,000 votes, with both candidates near 50%.

Later Wednesday morning, Kulewicz issued a statement saying Faber had offered his concession during a phone conversation.

Kulewicz acknowledged that provisional and military ballots were still outstanding, but said he expected to become Ohio’s next attorney general.

He thanked his family, campaign staff, volunteers and voters, and described the outcome as a responsibility to serve the entire state.

“It is a responsibility to focus like never before on the common good,” Kulewicz said, adding that he wants to use the law to help Ohio’s economy and government work better for everyone.

His statement did not include an updated vote count. The final result remains subject to the outstanding ballot count and certification.

Voters approve constitutional photo ID requirement
Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment requiring photo identification to vote.

The measure places Ohio’s existing photo ID requirement into the state constitution and specifies acceptable forms of government-issued identification.

It also allows the state to provide another way to verify the identity of voters who have a sincere religious objection to being photographed.

Democrats claim gains in Ohio House
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee said Democrats flipped enough Ohio House seats to break Republicans’ veto-proof supermajority.

Cleveland.com also reported that Democrats appeared to have reached that threshold, while noting that some close races could face recounts.

That would give incoming Gov. Acton more leverage when negotiating with lawmakers. Republicans would still control the House, but would need Democratic support to override her vetoes if they fall below the required threshold.

Trump congratulates Democrats
Nationally, Democrats captured both chambers of Congress, with the final size of their majorities still taking shape. President Donald Trump congratulated Democrats during an election-night phone interview with CBS News, saying he looked forward to working together “for the good of our country.”

Trump attributed Republican losses to his absence from the ballot, dissatisfaction with some candidates and supporters not turning out. He also pointed to his presidential veto authority as leverage in future negotiations.

Separately, when asked about the Iran war, Trump said it would end “when I say it ends.”

Early Wednesday returns showed:

Secretary of state: Democrat Allison Russo led Republican Robert Sprague, roughly 50% to 47%. Libertarian Tom Pruss had about 3%.

State auditor: Republican Frank LaRose led Democrat Annette Blackwell, roughly 51% to 49%.

State treasurer: Democrat Seth Walsh led Republican Jay Edwards by about 15,000 votes, with both near 50%.

Democrats also led both Ohio Supreme Court contests. Marilyn Zayas held a narrow advantage over Republican Daniel Hawkins, while Jennifer Brunner led Republican Colleen O’Donnell.

Outstanding ballots and the official canvass could change the totals.