WHAT OHIOANS ARE WATCHING: Jon Husted Under Fire For Taking More Than $116k From Epstein Co-Conspirator

WHAT OHIOANS ARE WATCHING: Jon Husted Under Fire For Taking More Than $116k From Epstein Co-Conspirator

February 19, 2026

Husted Called Out for Being a "Pedophile Protector," Refuses to Answer Questions

Columbus, Ohio - Ohioans across the state are calling out Senator Jon Husted for taking more than $116,000 directly from Epstein co-conspirator Les Wexner, including a maximum donation just a few weeks before he voted to block the release of the Epstein files.

Husted is the only Senator up for re-election to take Wexner's money, and has taken 10 times as much money from the Epstein co-conspirator than any other sitting Senator.

See for yourself:

Mike McCarthy, ABC 6: Protesters held a demonstration outside Senator Jon Husted's office in downtown Columbus. He is one of the many lawmakers who took donations for their campaign from Les Wexner. Husted received $3,500 last year and more than $15,000 in 2023.

Sue Hanson: And what that tells me is [Husted is] untrustworthy. He is, you know, he is looking out for his own self-interest. He's up for reelection this year. And so I do not trust his motives. And he's not identified where [the money is] going […].

Norwalk Reflector: Husted sidesteps Epstein question

• U.S. Sen. Jon Husted declined to answer a question Tuesday about campaign donations from billionaire Leslie Wexner and his vote on the release of Epstein-related files while at a campaign stop in Norwalk.

• A Reflector reporter asked Husted a question about campaign contributions Husted received from Wexner, an Ohio businessman recently named in files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, and on Husted's initial vote against releasing files related to the Epstein investigation.

• After receiving the question, Husted turned his head and did not respond.

• Several people present shouted at Husted, including one who asserted he was a "pedophile protector."

Angela An, 10TV Columbus: Today the protesters say that statement from [Husted's] office is not enough and they say they want to know more about how much money he's received from Wexner and where he plans to donate.

Sue Hanson: We're focusing on Jon Husted and what he needs to do as a national leader, and you know, a person who is very visible and needs to step up.

Angela An: A [Husted] spokesperson says that they are looking into those questions.

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