Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted will replace Vice President-elect J.D. Vance in the Senate, ending weeks of speculation as Washington, D.C., prepares to inaugurate Donald Trump for a second time as president.
Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) announced his decision to appoint Husted at a Friday afternoon press conference, calling him a workhorse with the “heart” to represent the people of Ohio. Trump had made a late push for DeWine to consider entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, but Husted was widely regarded as the front-runner in Ohio political circles.
He has the confidence of DeWine, serving as his deputy since 2019, and more than a decade of statewide experience.
“I have worked with him, I have seen him – I know his knowledge of Ohio, I know his heart,” DeWine said at the press conference, joined by Husted. “I know what he cares about. I know his skills, and all of that tells me that he is the right person for this.”
The other Republicans under serious consideration were state GOP Chairwoman Jane Timken and former state Rep. Jay Edwards, according to one source familiar with the deliberations.
Husted thanked DeWine for the opportunity as he took the podium on Friday, repeatedly holding back tears as he recounted his path to the Senate.
Husted, who spent part of his childhood in foster care, became emotional as he discussed his work on adoption and protecting children online. He teared up again as he called DeWine a leader and friend.
DeWine’s choice has major ramifications in Ohio, where Husted was expected to run for governor in 2026. Ramaswamy plans to mount a gubernatorial run, according to one person familiar with his plans, with further competition expected from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
DeWine is term-limited and previously signaled support for Husted had he chosen to enter the governor’s race.
In Washington, Husted’s appointment will bring Republicans one step closer to solidifying the makeup of their 53-seat Senate majority. Sen. Jim Justice (R-WV), who just finished his term as West Virginia governor, was sworn into the Senate on Tuesday.
Another vacancy is expected to open next week with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) on a glide path to becoming Trump’s secretary of state. Already, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has named Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody as his replacement.
Vance had four years left on his Senate term before he resigned last Thursday. However, Husted will have to face voters twice in the next four years if he wants to keep it.
According to state law, he must compete for the remainder of Vance’s term in a 2026 special election and then again for a full, six-year term in 2028.
Democrat Sherrod Brown, a three-term senator ousted by Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) in November, has not ruled out making a comeback bid in 2026.
Husted, 57, first entered politics in 2001 as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, becoming speaker just four years later.
He would serve a single term in the Ohio Senate before his election as secretary of state in 2011, a position he held for eight years.
Husted will begin his tenure in Washington as the junior senator from Ohio. Vance opted to stay in the Senate for the final weeks of President Joe Biden’s term, a move that gave Moreno senior status over Husted.
