ICYMI: Ohioans in Steubenville Call Out Jon Husted For Taking More Than $116k From Epstein Co-Conspirator

ICYMI: Ohioans in Steubenville Call Out Jon Husted For Taking More Than $116k From Epstein Co-Conspirator

June 4, 2026

Husted continues dodging basic questions that Ohioans deserve answered

STEUBENVILLE, OHIO - In case you missed it, Ohioans in Steubenville called 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.

The rally in Steubenville comes as Husted continues to dodge questions and accountability after voting against the release of the Epstein files. Recently, Husted ran away from a reporter when asked why he accepted money from an Epstein co-conspirator.

Ohioans have also protested Husted in Columbus, Toledo, Youngstown, and Westlake, and Husted was called out for being a "pedophile protector" at an event in Norwalk. 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:

WTRF: Protesters gather outside Jefferson County Courthouse over Epstein-related concerns

• Alex Taylor, WTRF: Organizers pointed to donations they say are tied to billionaire Les Wexner and criticized Husted's vote connected to the release of Epstein files. Demonstrators say they believe voters deserve more transparency.

• Karen Lloyd, Ohio educator: This isn't just standard political fundraising. This money came directly from billionaire Les Wexner, a man explicitly named as a co-conspirator in the federal investigation into the horrific crimes of Jeffrey Epstein.

WTOV: Ohio Democrats rally at Jefferson County courthouse over Husted Wexner donations

• WTOV Anchor: A group of Ohioans gathered Tuesday afternoon in front of the Jefferson County Courthouse to call out Sen. Jon Husted for taking more than $100,000 from Ohio billionaire Les Wexner.

• Missie Jasielum Basich, retired educator: Jon Husted will your hands ever be clean? I think not! Four thousand times Wexner's name was mentioned [in the Jeffrey Epstein files], the FBI named him as a co-conspirator. This is a shameful trickle down cycle.

Steubenville Herald-Star: Democrats question Husted donations tied to Epstein associate at Steubenville rally

• Democrats from across the region gathered in front of the Jefferson County Courthouse Tuesday to question the judgment and motivation behind Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted accepting more than $116,000 from a co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein.

• At issue is the $116,892 Husted received from New Albany billionaire Les Wexner, who has come under scrutiny for his relationship with Epstein.

• "We're making voters aware that Husted has been accepting money from an Epstein co-conspirator for years," said Eddie Abdalla, chairman of the Jefferson County Democratic Party. "If you tie together his vote to not release the Epstein files and the fact that he received a maximum donation from Wexner, it makes you wonder what people are hiding."

• "Right now a profound shadow hangs over the office of Sen. Jon Husted," Lloyd, a Steubenville resident, said. "It is a shadow cast by more than $116,000 in campaign contributions. This isn't just standard political fundraising - this money came directly from billionaire Les Wexner, a man explicitly named in the federal investigation into the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein."

• "Look closely at the facts and the timeline, because the timing of these events is deeply troubling," Lloyd said. "Campaign finance records reveal a disturbing pattern. Husted accepted maximum allowable donations from the Epstein associate. Just weeks after securing that financial backing, a critical procedural decision was made to block the public release of the Epstein files.

• "Eventually, amid intense public pressure, a vote was taken to release these records, but the initial hesitation and decision to stall happened right alongside a massive influx of cash from the very network under investigation," she added.

• "We cannot change the system that protects the powerful and the rich, but we can replace people like Husted," Antinone, a Steubenville resident, said during Tuesday's protest rally.

• "Even if he claims he has given back some of the money, it is too late," she added. "He already voted no on opening the Epstein files."

• Lloyd, a retired teacher, said it's time for Ohio residents to get answers.

• "When you spend nearly four decades in the classroom, you develop a fierce, unyielding instinct to protect the innocent," she said. "You learn to spot evasion, you learn when someone is hiding the truth. Right now, my instincts as a mother, a grandmother and a teacher are screaming that something is deeply wrong in one of the highest levels of our state government."

• Basich agreed. "Ohio, we deserve better - we can clean up this cycle," the Adena resident said. "I challenge everyone to be good people, even better people every day. Men, speak out against pedophiles and their terrible crimes and the people who support them. Women, speak up for equality and a better life."

• Tuesday's protest was the fifth similar event held around the state. Previous rallies were in Columbus, Toledo, Youngstown and Westlake.

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