Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted Expected to Fill Senate Seat Vacated by JD Vance

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is expected to appoint Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance, according to two sources familiar with the decision. The announcement is scheduled for a 1 p.m. news conference Friday at the Ohio Statehouse.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations, said Husted would serve through a 2026 special election to complete the remaining two years of Vance’s term. DeWine had previously emphasized the importance of appointing someone capable of winning a competitive Republican primary in 2024.

Husted’s potential appointment follows a meeting last month between DeWine, Husted, and President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Sources briefed on the discussion said Husted’s interest in running for governor in 2026 and the possibility of a Trump endorsement were topics of conversation, though Trump made no commitments.

Husted, 57, has been a close ally of DeWine since joining his ticket as lieutenant governor in 2018. Despite their partnership, Husted has sought to carve out his own political identity within the Republican Party. He endorsed Trump shortly before the Iowa caucuses last year and has maintained ties with prominent figures like Vivek Ramaswamy, who was also considered for the Senate appointment.

Ramaswamy, a Columbus-area entrepreneur and Trump ally, had initially withdrawn from consideration after agreeing to lead the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency. However, he recently signaled renewed interest in the Senate seat and met with DeWine to discuss the role.

Other contenders for the appointment included former state GOP chair Jane Timken, state Treasurer Robert Sprague, Rep. Mike Carey, and former state Rep. Jay Edwards. DeWine’s decision to select Husted reflects his confidence in the lieutenant governor’s ability to navigate Ohio’s political landscape.

Trump remains a dominant force in Ohio politics, having won the state three times by significant margins. His influence was evident in last year’s GOP primary for Ohio’s other Senate seat, where he endorsed businessman Bernie Moreno over DeWine’s preferred candidate. Moreno went on to defeat Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who is expected to run in the 2024 special election for Vance’s seat.

Husted’s appointment could set the stage for a crowded 2026 gubernatorial race, with prominent Republicans like Sprague and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost already preparing campaigns. The decision underscores the delicate balance of power within Ohio’s Republican Party as it prepares for upcoming elections.