COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Friday, the governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine, announced that Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted will be appointed to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. This decision resolves an ongoing competition among prominent Republican figures in the state for the influential position, which had been held by Vance for fewer than two years before his resignation on January 10. Husted’s appointment also reduces the number of potential candidates vying for the governor’s office in the upcoming 2026 election, although DeWine anticipates a still crowded race.
The governor emphasized that Husted’s considerable experience in government is a significant advantage, especially in comparison to Ohio’s last two senators—Vance and businessman Bernie Moreno—who had little political background before their elections. Husted, now 57, boasts a robust history in Ohio politics, having served as House speaker, state senator, and secretary of state before becoming lieutenant governor in 2019. He will hold the Senate position until December 15, 2026, when a special election will take place to determine who will serve the remaining two years of Vance’s six-year term.
DeWine praised Husted, 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.” During the announcement, Husted expressed his desire to seek bipartisan solutions in Washington while also committing to fully support President-elect Donald Trump’s policies, including backing all Cabinet nominations.
As Husted accepted the appointment, he became emotional, reflecting on his two decades of service in state government and acknowledging the unique opportunity represented by this new role. “My time here at the Statehouse has been a true joy, but representing Ohio in the U.S. Senate is an amazing opportunity,” he remarked, recalling his humble beginnings in Montpelier, Ohio.
DeWine characterized the role of U.S. senator as among the top positions in politics, aside from the presidency and governorship. Husted admitted that he had not anticipated the opportunity to replace Vance when he delivered his nomination address at the Republican National Convention this past summer. This latest appointment marks the third Senate seat to become available in Ohio within a three-year span.
The decision process was heavily influenced by a wide range of individuals competing for the appointment, including several who had recently lost elections for the seat, current statewide office holders, and even those from outside the political arena. The field of candidates for the Senate seat was further complicated when former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy expressed interest in the position during a visit with DeWine. Despite this, the governor ultimately favored Husted, who has an in-depth understanding of Ohio’s diverse landscapes—from urban centers to rural communities—and the intricacies of federal-state interactions.
In the lead-up to his decision, DeWine made personal visits to Mar-a-Lago and reported that Trump conveyed supportive words to both him and Husted. However, the appointment has already sparked competition for the 2026 gubernatorial race, particularly between Husted and Attorney General Dave Yost, who was also seeing to establish his own campaign. Ramaswamy’s potential candidacy and the recent announcement by Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague, who has filed paperwork to run for governor, add to the unfolding political drama.
Considering the upcoming special election for Vance’s remaining term in November 2026, there might be a chance for former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown to stage a comeback. After losing his seat in November, Brown suggested during his final Senate address that Ohioans would hear from him again. Although initially thought to be considering a gubernatorial run, he appears to be supporting former Health Director Amy Acton, who recently launched her campaign.
DeWine stated that he chose a Republican candidate for the Senate who could effectively challenge the Democratic nominee in both the 2026 statewide elections and again in 2028 for a full Senate term. Husted assured that he is ready for this challenge, having demonstrated his electoral viability in previous statewide roles. Maintaining a solid campaign organization and fundraising efforts, Husted has positioned himself as a frontrunner if he chooses to enter the gubernatorial race. Yost had previously indicated that he would decline the Senate appointment if offered.
DeWine acknowledged that conducting two consecutive elections can be grueling, noting that last year’s contest between Brown and Moreno became the most expensive in U.S. history, with over $400 million spent. With Democrats already signaling that Husted’s association with ongoing state corruption investigations will be a significant campaign issue, they remain determined to challenge his suitability for the Senate. Elizabeth Walters, the state’s Democratic Chair, remarked that Husted’s political background, particularly his ties to corruption, would not go unnoticed. “It’s already clear we can’t trust Husted,” she stated, indicating that Democrats would be attentive to Husted’s actions in the coming years leading up to the midterm elections.
This report has been corrected to confirm that Vance resigned from his Senate seat on January 10, rather than January 17.
