Epstein Files Fuel Ohio Senate Race as Candidates Trade Barbs Over Donations

The contentious Ohio U.S. Senate race has been significantly shaped by the political contributions of billionaire Les Wexner, whose past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has become a focal point for campaigns.

Wexner, a prominent retail magnate and Ohio native, has historically been a significant donor to candidates from both parties. However, the release of the Epstein files has brought renewed scrutiny to his political giving. Democratic challenger Sherrod Brown has utilized Wexner's donations to attack Republican incumbent Jon Husted, running multiple television commercials highlighting Husted's receipt of more funds from Wexner than any other current member of Congress.

Brown's campaign has pointed to a $3,500 donation Wexner made to Husted in July 2025, less than 10 weeks before Husted joined most Senate Republicans in voting against a Democratic effort to compel the release of the Epstein files. One advertisement featured a deposition video of Wexner, who confirmed his long-standing political donations to Husted, a former Ohio lawmaker, secretary of state, and lieutenant governor. Another ad characterized Wexner as an "Epstein co-conspirator," despite Wexner not being charged and his lawyer stating he was not a target of the investigation.

Husted's campaign has countered by highlighting Brown's acceptance of donations from individuals named in the Epstein documents. These include Wexner's wife, Abigail, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. Federal Election Commission records indicate Brown did not accept donations directly from Les Wexner. Husted's campaign also disputes the characterization of his vote as an attempt to "cover up the Epstein files," with spokesperson Amy Natoce asserting that Husted voted in favor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November and calling a prior vote "procedural."

Wexner, 89, testified under oath in February that he never lobbied Husted or any other official to block the release of the Epstein files, stating he felt he was "duped by a world-class con man." Husted's campaign announced that he would donate all available Wexner contributions, totaling $34,300, to an anti-human trafficking charity, with any remaining funds having been spent in previous campaign cycles.

Brown has not returned donations from approximately a dozen individuals named in the files, whom Husted's ad described as "Epstein associates" without any accusations of wrongdoing. Brown has defended this decision, stating that these individuals are not tied to Epstein in the same manner as alleged co-conspirators.

The Epstein Reading Room tour, an exhibit displaying over 3 million pages released by the Justice Department related to the Epstein investigation, is scheduled to make at least 20 more stops, including Ohio on October 7. Annie Farmer, an Epstein accuser, expressed concern that politicians receiving donations from individuals with ties to Epstein may be incentivized to suppress the truth. She and her sister, Maria Farmer, have been vocal accusers of Epstein, with Maria alleging her sexual assault occurred in New Albany, Ohio, in 1996, while Epstein was working for Wexner.

Wexner's deposition stated he did not hear of Maria Farmer until media reports surfaced and could not confirm if she had ever stayed on his property.

The Epstein files have also influenced other congressional races across the country. In Texas, candidates James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa met with accusers, while in Nebraska, independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn pledged to prioritize victims' justice after visiting a similar exhibit.

As Ohio's early voting approaches, the Epstein issue continues to resonate. Husted faced heckling during a recent campaign stop, being called a "pedophile protector." Brown, meanwhile, continues to emphasize Husted's Wexner contributions, questioning why Husted "would side with the billionaires instead of these victims."