COLUMBUS, Ohio — JD Vance, the Vice President-elect, has announced his resignation from the U.S. Senate, which will take effect this upcoming Friday.

Vance communicated his decision in a letter to Ohio’s Republican Governor Mike DeWine, who is responsible for naming Vance’s replacement.

In his letter, Vance conveyed, “As I prepare to assume my duties as Vice President of the United States, I would like to express that it has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve the people of Ohio in the Senate over the past two years.”

In a statement, Vance reflected on his humble beginnings growing up in Appalachia. He emphasized his commitment to his roots by stating, “When I was elected to this office, I promised to never forget where I came from, and I’ve made sure to live by that promise every single day.”

Governor DeWine has indicated that he plans to make the appointment following Vance’s departure. However, DeWine was at a governors’ gathering with Donald Trump in Mar-a-Lago on Thursday evening, which may delay any announcements.

The responsibility of selecting a successor falls solely on DeWine, who appointed Vance to a six-year term in 2022. Many Republican figures have expressed interest in the vacant seat, including Secretary of State Frank LaRose, State Treasurer Robert Sprague, U.S. Representative Mike Carey, state Senator Matt Dolan, former Republican state chair Jane Timken, and GOP attorney strategist Mehek Cooke.

Recently, the focus has shifted primarily towards Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, who traveled to Mar-a-Lago with DeWine to confer with President Trump.

When reporters inquired about the discussions during a bill-signing event on Wednesday, DeWine refrained from offering any hints. He stated, “I’m not ready to make an announcement yet, but the announcement will be coming soon.”

Husted, who was present at the event, commented, “We’re considering all the options, and just, that’s really all I have to say.” He is viewed as a leading candidate for the governorship in 2026, having carefully crafted his career path for this opportunity. Husted has previously served as Ohio House speaker, a state senator, and secretary of state for two terms.

The person appointed by DeWine will hold the position until December 2026 and will be required to run for the remainder of the term in the upcoming November 2026 elections.