In the days after Donald Trump named JD Vance as his running mate, Ohio delegates at the RNC were anxious at the thought of replacing him in the Senate — Trump would need to win first before they could have serious conversations.
Four months later, both of those things happened and it’s a mad dash to determine who could fill the coveted seat, Ohio Republicans told the Daily Caller.
Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is tasked with appointing someone to serve alongside Senator-elect Bernie Moreno until 2026.
“The number one thing [DeWine] is going to be looking for is who can win the race in two years,” Ohio State Sen. Chris Lang told the Caller. “So [he has] to pick a candidate that has the ability to fundraise and a candidate that has the ability to win elections, because the Democrats are going to come at us hard.”
DeWine has not indicated who he is thinking about picking, but Ohio Republicans told the Caller there are several names floating around and some key players who are already out of the race.
Michael Gonidakis, the CEO of Ohio Right to Life and an RNC delegate, told the Caller he does not expect state Attorney General Dave Yost or state Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to be chosen for the seat.
“Why do I say that with such a great deal of authority? Because they both told me that they’re running for governor and governor only, and they will not accept any offer from the governor to be United States Senator,” Gonidakis told the Caller.
— Attorney General Dave Yost (@DaveYostOH) November 7, 2024
Thank you, Ohio! pic.twitter.com/g6iZZkAMFW
— Bernie Moreno (@berniemoreno) November 6, 2024
Gonidakis added that he did not think state Sen. Matt Dolan would be chosen for the seat because his reelection chances are slim in 2026. Dolan was rumored to be DeWine’s pick in July when Vance was first picked as Trump’s running mate. DeWine endorsed Dolan, who Trump has called a “RINO,” in the Republican primary against Moreno. Dolan lost the Republican primary for Senate two cycles in a row.
Caught up today with state Sen. Matt Dolan, who told Gov. Mike DeWine he’s interested in the Senate appointment to replace Vance.
“He talks about wanting somebody who goes to the Senate with experience, a workhorse, get things done for Ohio. I think I check those boxes.”
— Haley BeMiller (@haleybemiller) November 12, 2024
Though not Gonidakis’s pick, Dolan is a frontrunner for others.
Debbie Lang, an Ohio Republican Party Central Committeewoman, told the Caller that she believes two top choices are former Ohio GOP chairwoman Jane Timken (who ran an unsuccessful Senate race in 2022) and Dolan. But she ultimately believes a Trump endorsement will be the deciding factor for DeWine.
Lang also floated the name of Ohioan Vivek Ramaswamy, who was speculated to be a potential contender for months since Vance got the VP nod. But Trump announced Tuesday night Ramaswamy would lead the new Department of Government Efficiency alongside Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Who else wants JD Vance’s Senate seat to be filled by @VivekGRamaswamy?
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) July 15, 2024
Donald Roberts, an RNC delegate, seconded Dolan and Timken as top picks for the seat, though he mentioned he has heard Congressman Mike Carey and Rep. Jim Jordan’s names floated as possible picks.
“That would leave Gov. DeWine the ability to appoint someone else after that, to fill their slots,” Roberts told the Caller.
Carey’s office told the Caller that the congressman is “honored” to be mentioned for the role, but his priority is serving Ohio’s 15th district.
“I know [Timken is] very interested,” Gonidakis told the Caller. “I know my good friend, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, is very interested in talking to the governor about this opportunity. And so is Mike Carey, a congressman.”
DeWine can wait until January, when Vance is sworn in as vice president, to make his decision.
“A lot of people are calling,” DeWine told reporters Thursday. “We’re just going through the process of starting to think about this and see who would be the best person.”
