Ohio · U.S. Senate special election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Where do the candidates stand on foreign policy and trade?

Sherrod BrownDemocrat
Jon HustedRepublicanIncumbent

Part of the full Ohio U.S. Senate comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026

Foreign Policy & Trade

Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.

Documented positions

Says his first order of business if elected would be action to end the war with Iran; in 2020 voted to remove U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities against Iran.

Show the evidence (2)

Public statement2026
Said that if elected, his first order of business would be to take action to end the Iran war, that there is no reason for the U.S. to be involved in it, and that it is driving up the cost of gasoline, diesel and fertilizer. In an interview published by WCPO on Sept. 22, 2026, he said, "We should quit spending money to go to war." 2 sourcesBrown, Husted make pitches on affordability, data centers and more in U.S. Senate race (opens in a new tab)Dayton Daily News · Oct. 15, 2026 · NewsOhio's Senate candidates discuss why they're running, their stances on issues (opens in a new tab)WCPO 9 News · Sept. 22, 2026 · News
Past actionFeb. 13, 2020
Voted for S.J.Res. 68, which directed the removal of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran that Congress had not authorized. It passed the Senate 55–45 on Feb. 13, 2020, and the House 227–186 on March 11, 2020; a Senate vote to override the President's veto failed 49–44 on May 7, 2020, with Brown not voting. 3 sourcesRoll Call Vote 116th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 52: On the Joint Resolution S.J.Res. 68 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · Feb. 13, 2020 · Legislative recordRoll Call 101: S.J.Res. 68, Iran war powers resolution, On Passage (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · March 11, 2020 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 116th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 84: On Overriding the Veto S.J.Res. 68 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · May 7, 2020 · Legislative record

Public statement2026
Said that if elected, his first order of business would be to take action to end the Iran war, that there is no reason for the U.S. to be involved in it, and that it is driving up the cost of gasoline, diesel and fertilizer. In an interview published by WCPO on Sept. 22, 2026, he said, "We should quit spending money to go to war." 2 sourcesBrown, Husted make pitches on affordability, data centers and more in U.S. Senate race (opens in a new tab)Dayton Daily News · Oct. 15, 2026 · NewsOhio's Senate candidates discuss why they're running, their stances on issues (opens in a new tab)WCPO 9 News · Sept. 22, 2026 · News
Past actionFeb. 13, 2020
Voted for S.J.Res. 68, which directed the removal of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran that Congress had not authorized. It passed the Senate 55–45 on Feb. 13, 2020, and the House 227–186 on March 11, 2020; a Senate vote to override the President's veto failed 49–44 on May 7, 2020, with Brown not voting. 3 sourcesRoll Call Vote 116th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 52: On the Joint Resolution S.J.Res. 68 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · Feb. 13, 2020 · Legislative recordRoll Call 101: S.J.Res. 68, Iran war powers resolution, On Passage (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · March 11, 2020 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 116th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 84: On Overriding the Veto S.J.Res. 68 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · May 7, 2020 · Legislative record

Voted against all 14 Senate roll calls in 2026 on measures to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran; says the war must end on America's terms.

Show the evidence (2)

Past action2026
Voted against all 14 Senate roll calls between March and September 2026 on measures directing the removal of U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran, including H.Con.Res. 86, which the Senate agreed to 50–48 on June 23, 2026, and H.Con.Res. 89, which it rejected 49–50 on Sept. 24, 2026. 14 sourcesRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 184: On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 86 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · June 23, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 244: On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 89 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · Sept. 24, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 46: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 104 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · March 4, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 58: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 118 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · March 18, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 69: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 116 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · March 24, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 79: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 123 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · April 15, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 88: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 114 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · April 22, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 113: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 184 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · April 30, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 118: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 163 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · May 13, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 129: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 185 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · May 19, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 174: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 172 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · June 16, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 192: On the Motion to Proceed S.J.Res. 185 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · June 24, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 207: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 180 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · July 23, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 216: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 181 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · July 30, 2026 · Legislative record
Public statementOct. 16, 2026
Said in October 2026 that he wants the war to end, the Strait of Hormuz to reopen and gas prices to drop, but that it must end "on America's terms, not Iran's terms"; News 5 Cleveland reported he said he did not want to undermine the president's ability to negotiate an end to the war. 2 sourcesJon Husted campaigns to hold control of not just his Senate seat but Senate control for Republicans (opens in a new tab)News 5 Cleveland (WEWS) · Oct. 16, 2026 · NewsBrown, Husted make pitches on affordability, data centers and more in U.S. Senate race (opens in a new tab)Dayton Daily News · Oct. 15, 2026 · News

Past action2026
Voted against all 14 Senate roll calls between March and September 2026 on measures directing the removal of U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran, including H.Con.Res. 86, which the Senate agreed to 50–48 on June 23, 2026, and H.Con.Res. 89, which it rejected 49–50 on Sept. 24, 2026. 14 sourcesRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 184: On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 86 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · June 23, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 244: On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 89 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · Sept. 24, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 46: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 104 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · March 4, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 58: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 118 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · March 18, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 69: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 116 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · March 24, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 79: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 123 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · April 15, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 88: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 114 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · April 22, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 113: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 184 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · April 30, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 118: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 163 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · May 13, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 129: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 185 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · May 19, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 174: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 172 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · June 16, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 192: On the Motion to Proceed S.J.Res. 185 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · June 24, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 207: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 180 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · July 23, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 216: On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 181 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · July 30, 2026 · Legislative record
Public statementOct. 16, 2026
Said in October 2026 that he wants the war to end, the Strait of Hormuz to reopen and gas prices to drop, but that it must end "on America's terms, not Iran's terms"; News 5 Cleveland reported he said he did not want to undermine the president's ability to negotiate an end to the war. 2 sourcesJon Husted campaigns to hold control of not just his Senate seat but Senate control for Republicans (opens in a new tab)News 5 Cleveland (WEWS) · Oct. 16, 2026 · NewsBrown, Husted make pitches on affordability, data centers and more in U.S. Senate race (opens in a new tab)Dayton Daily News · Oct. 15, 2026 · News

Recorded votes on foreign policy and trade

Selected votes

Measures only one of the two candidates voted on.

Iran war powers resolution (S.J.Res. 68, 116th Congress)
Foreign policy
Joint resolution directing the removal of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
Passed the Senate 55–45 on Feb. 13, 2020, and the House 227–186 on March 11, 2020; a Senate vote to override the President's veto failed 49–44 on May 7, 2020 (Brown did not vote on the override).
3 sourcesRoll Call Vote 116th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 52: On the Joint Resolution S.J.Res. 68 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · Feb. 13, 2020 · Legislative recordRoll Call 101: S.J.Res. 68, Iran war powers resolution, On Passage (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · March 11, 2020 · Legislative recordRoll Call Vote 116th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 84: On Overriding the Veto S.J.Res. 68 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · May 7, 2020 · Legislative record
Voted yes
U.S. Senate · Feb. 13, 2020
On the Joint Resolution S.J.Res. 68
Senate roll call 52, 116th Congress (official record, opens in a new tab)SourceRoll Call Vote 116th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 52: On the Joint Resolution S.J.Res. 68 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · Feb. 13, 2020 · Legislative record

Iran war powers resolution (H.Con.Res. 86, 119th Congress)
Foreign policy
Concurrent resolution directing the president, under section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran.
Agreed to by the House 215–208 on June 3, 2026, and by the Senate 50–48 on June 23, 2026.
2 sourcesRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 184: On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 86 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · June 23, 2026 · Legislative recordRoll Call 199: H.Con.Res. 86, Iran war powers resolution, On Agreeing to the Resolution (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · June 3, 2026 · Legislative record
Voted no
U.S. Senate · June 23, 2026
On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 86
Senate roll call 184, 119th Congress (official record, opens in a new tab)SourceRoll Call Vote 119th Congress - 2nd Session, Vote Number 184: On the Concurrent Resolution H.Con.Res. 86 (opens in a new tab)U.S. Senate · June 23, 2026 · Legislative record

In their own words

Statements

Iran war and the federal budget
We should quit spending money to go to war. Ohioans alone are spending at least $50 million a day to pay for this war, not to mention the cost of higher energy, the cost of higher food, higher costs for food
Sherrod Brown · Answer to a question about balancing the federal budget in a one-on-one interview with WCPO 9 News anchor Tanya O'Rourke near Cincinnati, published Sept. 22, 2026 · 2026
SourceOhio's Senate candidates discuss why they're running, their stances on issues (opens in a new tab)WCPO 9 News · Sept. 22, 2026 · News

War with Iran
I want the war to come to an end. I want the Strait of Hormuz to be open, and I want gas prices to drop but we need to end the war on America's terms, not Iran's terms
Jon Husted · Interview with News 5 Cleveland (WEWS), asked whether he could see voting against the president to end the war · Oct. 16, 2026
SourceJon Husted campaigns to hold control of not just his Senate seat but Senate control for Republicans (opens in a new tab)News 5 Cleveland (WEWS) · Oct. 16, 2026 · News

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