COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Friday, Ohio’s Governor Mike DeWine announced that Republican Lt. Gov. Jon Husted will take over the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. This decision concludes a lengthy period of speculation among prominent Ohio Republicans vying for the position, which Vance occupied for less than two years before his resignation on January 10. While appointing Husted eliminates one prospective candidate from the 2026 governor’s race, DeWine anticipates that the race will still attract numerous contenders.
DeWine emphasized that Husted’s extensive governmental experience played a significant role in his decision. The governor noted that recent Ohio senators—including Vance and businessman Bernie Moreno—lacked the deep political backgrounds that Husted possesses. Husted, who is 57 years old, has held several key positions in Ohio politics, including former Ohio House speaker, state senator, and two-term secretary of state. He has served as lieutenant governor since 2019 and will remain in the Senate until December 15, 2026. A special election is scheduled for November 2026 to fill the remaining two years of Vance’s six-year term.
During the announcement, DeWine praised Husted as a reliable partner in making significant decisions, stating, “I have worked with him, I have seen him, I know his knowledge of Ohio. I know his heart. I know what he cares about. I know his skills. And all of that tells me that he is the right person for this job.” Husted is known for fostering bipartisan relations during his tenure as House leader and expressed his commitment to seek common ground in Washington, while also pledging support for President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda and Cabinet appointments.
As he accepted his new role alongside his family, Husted became emotional, recalling his over twenty years of experience in state government and expressing how significant this opportunity is for him. “My time here at the Statehouse has been a true joy, but representing Ohio in the U.S. Senate is an amazing opportunity,” Husted remarked, reflecting on his humble beginnings. DeWine, a former U.S. senator himself, indicated that this is among the most prestigious positions in politics, second only to the presidency.
The governor faced numerous requests for the Senate seat, including interest from those who had previously lost election bids, two state officials, and candidates from outside the government realm. Notably, Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and former presidential candidate, recently reached out to DeWine to express his interest, further complicating the field.
Although DeWine has occasionally diverged with Trump, he ultimately decided to appoint someone who possesses a profound understanding of Ohio— a state characterized by its diverse geography and demographics. Following conversations with Trump leading up to his appointment, both DeWine and Husted shared that Trump expressed support for Husted.
Despite hopes that appointing Husted might mitigate competition for the governor’s office in 2026, the move has instead sparked a frenzy of behind-the-scenes maneuvering among potential candidates. Ramaswamy and Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague, who began the process of officially entering the race, are among those getting ready to vie for the position.
Husted is currently seen as a frontrunner for the governorship, thanks to his previous fundraising and campaign organization efforts. Notably, Attorney General Dave Yost expressed he would turn down a Senate appointment if offered. The upcoming special election in November 2026 could also pave the way for a potential comeback by former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, who lost to Moreno last November. While there were discussions that Brown might pursue a run for governor, he seems to be supporting former Health Director Amy Acton’s recent campaign.
Governor DeWine has indicated that he wants his chosen Senate candidate to be poised to challenge any Democratic candidate running in 2026, as well as to contend for a full term in 2028. Husted feels ready for this challenge, demonstrating a successful record running twice for Ohio secretary of state and twice as lieutenant governor. His experience contributed to DeWine’s decision to include him on the 2018 gubernatorial ticket. However, DeWine cautioned that the upcoming period of two consecutive elections will be intense, referencing last year’s costly Senate campaign that surpassed $400 million in total spending.
Democrats have made it clear that they do not expect an easy path for Husted going forward. State Chair Elizabeth Walters warned that Husted’s alleged connections to a major corruption investigation will likely become focal points in the upcoming campaigns. Although Husted has not been implicated in wrongdoing, he was recently asked to provide documents related to federal inquiries.
“While Governor DeWine may have handed Husted a literal get-out-of-jail-free card, Ohioans won’t tolerate a career politician with a penchant for corruption and scandal,” Walters asserted, predicting that Democrats will work diligently to hold him accountable in the coming years.
