One of the leading candidates to fill Vice President-elect JD Vance’s Ohio Senate seat recently traveled to President-elect Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in light of the decision. The governor is getting closer.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine traveled to Trump’s home in Florida along with Republican Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who is believed to be the top candidate to replace Vance in recent days. While specifics of the conversation are unclear, News 5 Cleveland first reported it, and Fox News Digital has confirmed it.
State law requires DeWine to select a Republican to fill Vance’s seat in the Senate until a special election in November 2026 to decide who will serve the remainder of Vance’s term, which ends in 2020. 2028 The winner of the special election can run again in 2028 to begin a new six-year term.
Multiple sources told Fox News Digital that a final decision on Senate appointments is expected in the coming weeks. Because the new Congress will be sworn into office on January 1. 3.
JD VANCE criticizes NY TIMES readers for ‘whining’ about elderly neighbor’s prayers: ‘Stop being so weird’
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine will nominate a replacement for Senate Vice President JD Vance. (Getty Images)
DeWine’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Dan Tierney, a spokesman for the governor, told Fox News Digital last month that DeWine is looking for a “work horse” who is “qualified and ready to earn the trust of Ohio voters for another term. ”
VANCE likely to be front-runner in 2028, but RNC chair ‘excited about the bench we have’
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted speaks during the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 15, 2024. (Getty Images)
Fox News Digital previously reported that DeWine is considering, along with Husted, several candidates for Senate. That includes attorney Mehek Cooke, Ohio Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose, former Ohio GOP Chair Jane Timken, Rep. Mike Carey and others.
“Governor DeWine has important decisions ahead in selecting Ohio’s next senator,” Cooke told Fox News Digital on Friday night. “If Jon is the workhorse he chooses. He is the right choice.”
“He is battle-tested with decades of experience fighting for Ohioans and securing a strong future for our state. If Jon is an option I am 100% behind him, too much risk. And we need someone to put Ohio on the map. First of all, it is a great honor to interview the Governor. And he knows my commitment is to always put the interests of the state of Ohio first.”
CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Endorsements from Trump and Vance will be critical to DeWine’s appointment, as both are popular in the Buckeye State, where their ticket won by 11 points in November.
Husted, who is believed to be the only Senate candidate, will travel to Trump’s home. has served as Ohio’s lieutenant governor since 2019 after serving as secretary of state for eight years and as a member of the state Senate and Ohio House of Representatives before that.
Husted is widely expected to run for governor to replace DeWine, and his team recently took steps to allocate resources to that race. Sources told Fox News Digital that former presidential candidate Vivek’s interest Ramawamy in running for governorship That’s caused some potential gubernatorial candidates to reevaluate their options. Because Rama had a lot of money in his pocket.
Husted remains tight-lipped about potential Senate appointments. In addition to saying “I will continue to serve this state as long as the people of Ohio will have me. As for the future, I intend to reveal my plans early next year.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Trump’s transition team for comment. But did not receive an immediate response.
