J.D. Vance is set to be inaugurated as Vice President. This announcement comes just before inauguration day.
And J.D. Vance replacement news has hit Washington, D.C. out of nowhere.
Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted to Replace JD Vance as Ohio’s Newest Senator
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced on Friday that Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted will take over the Senate seat vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance. Husted, who has served in various prominent roles in Ohio’s state government, will hold the seat until a special election is held in 2026 to complete the remainder of Vance’s term.
During a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, DeWine explained his decision to appoint Husted. “I came to the conclusion that the person who was best suited to be the United States senator is a person who has been close to me for the last six years — a person who almost daily I work with,” DeWine said. “And that is Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted.”
Governor DeWine noted that, after interviewing a large number of candidates, he determined that Husted’s experience and understanding of Ohio’s issues, as well as his deep knowledge of the interaction between the federal and state governments, made him the ideal choice for the role.
Husted, a seasoned political figure, has been the Lieutenant Governor of Ohio since 2018. Prior to that, he served as Ohio Secretary of State, Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, and as a member of the Ohio State Senate. His extensive background in both state and federal politics positions him well for the transition to the U.S. Senate.
Looking ahead, Husted has indicated his plans to run for governor of Ohio in 2026. As per his appointment, he will serve in the Senate seat until the special election that year, at which point voters will decide who will complete the remainder of Vance’s term.
While DeWine’s choice of Husted for the Senate seat was clear, it was reported that President-elect Donald Trump had expressed a preference for Vivek Ramaswamy, the former presidential candidate and co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to take on the role. Ramaswamy, however, is expected to announce his own bid for Ohio governor in the near future.
In his acceptance of the Senate appointment, Husted emphasized his commitment to Ohio’s economic future. “In my mind, my mission has always been clear: to ensure Ohioans have access to good jobs, quality job training and the opportunity to achieve their vision,” he said.
Husted has been an advocate for policies that support Ohioans, including his recent push for social media regulation for minors. As a strong proponent of Ohio’s Social Media Parental Notification Act, Husted supported legislation that would require social media platforms to confirm whether users are 15 years old or younger. If a user is under 15, their guardians must provide written consent before the child can access the platform.
A father of three, Husted’s personal and professional experiences have shaped his policy priorities. Before entering public service, he was a football player at the University of Dayton, adding a layer of personal insight into his leadership style. As he transitions from Lieutenant Governor to U.S. Senator, Husted’s deep connection to Ohio and his long history of state service are expected to guide his approach in Washington.
With his sights set on the 2026 gubernatorial election, Husted’s temporary tenure in the Senate will undoubtedly set the stage for the next chapter in Ohio’s political landscape.
Trump Ally Vivek Ramaswamy Announces Intentions To Run For Ohio Governorship
Some Donald Trump supporters were disappointed with the news that Jon Husted would be filling J.D. Vance’s position in the U.S. Senate chamber. They were hoping Vivek Ramaswamy would be tapped to fill the empty role in the Senate with J.D. Vance set to transition to being the Vice President of the United States.
In response to the news of Husted’s nomination, Ramaswamy indicated with reporters that he is eyeing a run for Governor for the 2026 election year. Ramaswamy’s allies reportedly shared with news outlets that their 2026 election announcement is “ready” and would be released as soon as his team was totally prepared.
“A person inside Ramaswamy’s political apparatus who spoke with Ramaswamy this week said that Ramaswamy said he plans to replace Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) who is term limited,” one anonymous report shared after DeWine nominated Mr. Husted for the Senate role.
BREAKING: Vivek Ramaswamy plans to announce Ohio gubernatorial run, per the Washington Post. This comes after news broke that Gov. DeWine has selected Lieutenant Governor, Jon Husted, to fill JD Vance's vacant seat.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 17, 2025
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