Steak 'n Shake, the Indiana-based fast-food chain, has officially endorsed Republican Sen. Jon Husted in Ohio's closely watched Senate race, aligning itself with his embrace of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement and the Trump administration's health agenda.
In a post on X on Thursday, the company declared, "We stand with Husted because he champions the #MAHA movement to clean up the American food supply chain and lower the cost for consumers." The endorsement also took a direct swipe at Husted's Democratic opponent, former Sen. Sherrod Brown, accusing him of "driving up grocery prices for every Ohio family" through his support of "extreme federal spending."
The race between Husted and Brown is rated as a toss-up by both the Cook Political Report and Decision Desk HQ, making it one of the most competitive Senate contests in the country. Brown, who served nearly two decades in the Senate, lost his 2024 reelection bid to Republican Bernie Moreno, but is now seeking a return to Washington.
Steak 'n Shake's endorsement is part of a broader strategy by the company to position itself in line with the current political climate. In 2025, the chain removed all seed oils from its restaurants, switched to cane-sugar Coca-Cola and grade-A Wisconsin butter, and even appointed a "chief MAHA officer." These moves follow priorities set by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has pushed for a dramatic overhaul of American dietary guidelines.
Kennedy has championed what he calls an "upside down food pyramid," placing vegetables, fruits, proteins, dairy, and healthy fats at the top while relegating whole grains to the bottom. At a January press conference, he declared, "Today, our government declares war on added sugar, highly processed foods loaded with additives, added sugar and excess salt."
Husted, who has been vocal about food and nutrition reform, responded to the endorsement with a video in which he discussed his food policy stances while standing in front of a Steak 'n Shake stand. In the video, he emphasized the need for transparency about ingredients so Americans can "make wise, healthy choices about the food you eat."
In a separate post on X in August, Husted wrote, "As the executive branch and Congress work together to strengthen a variety of food safety processes, consistent ingredient transparency standards must be part of that conversation."
The endorsement is notable given the company's recent political activism. Steak 'n Shake has highlighted its winning record in political endorsements this primary cycle, and its decision to back Husted underscores the growing influence of the MAHA movement in Republican politics. The chain's support could resonate with voters who prioritize food issues, though it remains to be seen whether it will sway the tight race.
Brown, meanwhile, has focused his campaign on economic populism and defending his record on labor and consumer protections. The Steak 'n Shake endorsement adds another layer to a race already drawing national attention, with both parties pouring resources into Ohio.
As the election approaches, the intersection of food policy and politics is likely to remain a talking point. Steak 'n Shake's move signals that the MAHA agenda, once a niche concern, has become a mainstream political force with potential implications for the Senate balance of power.
