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One of the main candidates to fill the position of vice president-elect JD VanceOhio’s Senate seat recently traveled to President-elect Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence as a decision by the state’s governor looms.
The governor of Ohio Mike DeWine traveled to Trump’s home in Florida with fellow Republican Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, believed to be a leading candidate to replace Vance, in recent days, though details of any conversation are unclear, he reported for the first time News 5 Cleveland and Fox News Digital. has confirmed
State law states that DeWine will select a Republican to fill Vance’s Senate seat until a special election is held in November 2026 to determine who will serve the remainder of Vance’s term, which ends in 2028. Then the winner of this special election could be presented. again in 2028 to begin a new six-year term.
Multiple sources told Fox News Digital that a final decision on the Senate appointment is expected in the coming weeks as the new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3.
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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will name Vice President-elect JD Vance’s Senate replacement (Getty Images)
DeWine’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
The governor’s spokesman, Dan Tierney, told Fox News Digital last month that DeWine will be looking for a “workhorse” who is “qualified and ready to earn the trust of Ohio voters for another term.”
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Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted speaks during the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wis., on July 15, 2024. (Getty Images)
Fox News Digital previously informed that DeWine is considering, along with Husted, several Senate candidates, including attorney Mehek Cooke, Republican Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, former Ohio GOP Chairwoman Jane Timken, Rep. Mike Carey and others
“Governor DeWine has a crucial decision ahead of him in selecting Ohio’s next senator,” Cooke told Fox News Digital Friday night. “If Jon is the workhorse he chooses, he’s the right choice.”
“He’s battle-tested, with decades of experience fighting for Ohioans and securing a stronger future for our state. If Jon is elected, I’m behind him 100 percent—there’s too much at stake , and we need someone who puts Ohio first. It was an honor to interview the governor, and he knows my commitment is to always put Ohio’s interests first.”
An endorsement from Trump and Vance will be critical to any DeWine appointment, given that both are popular in the Buckeye State, where his ticket won by 11 points in November.
Husted has served as Ohio’s lieutenant governor since 2019 after serving eight years as secretary of state and a member of both the state Senate and the Ohio House of Representatives before that.
Husted was widely expected to run for governor to replace DeWine, and his team has recently taken steps to pour resources into that race. Sources tell Fox News Digital that former presidential candidate Vivek Ramwamy’s Interest in running for governor has caused some potential gubernatorial candidates to re-evaluate their options, given Ramaswamy’s deep pockets.
Husted has remained tight-lipped about a possible Senate nomination, other than to say, “I will continue to serve this state as long as the people of Ohio will have me. As for the future, I intend to make known my plans early next year.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Trump’s transition team for comment, but did not immediately hear back.
