Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted Appointed to Succeed JD Vance in Senate Seat
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine also held discussions with Vivek Ramaswamy and several elected officials from Ohio prior to making his decision days ahead of Trump’s inauguration.
On January 17, Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine appointed Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to succeed Vice President-elect JD Vance in the U.S. Senate.
Vance stepped down from his Senate position earlier this month to prepare for taking office as vice president under President-elect Donald Trump.
DeWine, a former U.S. senator who served two terms, was required by state law to name a replacement for Vance.
“I believe I have a solid understanding of what it takes to be successful in the United States Senate,” DeWine stated during a press conference on January 17.
“The process took some time because this choice carries significant weight. I spoke with many individuals who were highly qualified to represent our state in the Senate, but ultimately, I concluded that the best candidate is someone who has been close to me over the past six years.”
As a prominent figure in the establishment wing of the Republican Party, DeWine has faced criticism from Trump, and the two have had their share of disagreements.
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Vivek Ramaswamy, an Ohio native who ran for the Republican presidential nomination last year, was considered a possible candidate to take Vance’s place. Recently, Trump endorsed Ramaswamy for the Senate.
Following Trump’s victory in November 2024, speculation grew regarding potential replacements, including Ohio state Senator Matt Dolan (R-District 24), Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Rep. Mike Carey (R-Ohio), former Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken, and Ohio State Treasurer Robert Sprague.
In November 2024, a Republican strategist in Ohio with close ties to the state Legislature mentioned to The Epoch Times that he believed DeWine’s decision would have the backing of everyone involved, including Trump’s team, Vance’s supporters, and DeWine’s allies in the Ohio Republican Party.
Trump has secured wins in Ohio three times, achieving an eight-point margin in both 2016 and 2020, and an eleven-point lead this year.
Vance commenced his term as senator in January 2023.
Husted will serve in Vance’s Senate seat until a special election is conducted in November 2026 to determine who will complete the remainder of Vance’s term, which ends in 2028. The winner of this special election will need to campaign again in 2028 for a full six-year term.
Husted’s appointment also adds him to the Senate roster alongside Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), who defeated long-time Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown in the November 2024 elections.
Ramaswamy rose to national prominence during his presidential campaign before ultimately endorsing Trump after exiting the race.
Trump assigned Ramaswamy to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency alongside Elon Musk, with the completion goal set for July 4, 2026.
Wes Farno, a Republican strategist based in Ohio, shared with The Epoch Times on January 17 that Husted’s appointment may trigger a “chain reaction of open seats.”
“It will be interesting to see if Husted will encounter a primary challenge in 2026. Additionally, who will Gov. DeWine choose to replace Husted, and will that individual also pursue a governorship?” Farno questioned.
DeWine’s selection provides Ramaswamy a clearer avenue to run for governor, according to Farno.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (at podium), Lt. Gov. Jon Husted (back), and Ford Motor Co. officials unveil the company’s $1.5 billion investment plan at the Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake, Ohio, near Cleveland on June 2, 2022. Photo courtesy of Governor Mike DeWine’s Office
In September 2024, Ramaswamy moderated a town hall event in Springfield, where the community was dealing with a Haitian migrant crisis.
During the meeting, a citizen approached the microphone and encouraged Ramaswamy to consider a gubernatorial run, prompting enthusiastic applause from attendees.
Ramaswamy grinned and replied, “I’m more inclined to do that now than I was 10 seconds ago.”
Additionally, another Ohio Republican strategist communicated to The Epoch Times in November 2024 that Husted’s team preferred Ramaswamy to either pursue the Senate seat or accept a role in Trump’s administration rather than running for governor.
“They would prefer not to face him in a primary,” he remarked.
“What people appreciate about Vivek Ramaswamy is that he articulates his genuine beliefs. Regardless of whether people agree or disagree, he doesn’t frame his opinions based on popular sentiment. Many find that approach refreshing.”
Husted withdrew from the 2018 gubernatorial race to join DeWine’s ticket, while DeWine was elected for a second term in 2022.
“We’ve worked to restore greatness in Ohio, and I look forward to collaborating with President Trump and JD Vance to achieve greatness in America,” Husted proclaimed on January 17.
Some moderate Republicans in Ohio had hoped that DeWine would select Dolan for the Senate position. Dolan has been serving in the Ohio state Senate since 2017 and was a state representative for five years prior.
Dolan competed in the 2022 Ohio U.S. Senate Republican primary, where Vance emerged victorious, and again in 2024 when Moreno won.
DeWine endorsed Dolan in the 2024 Republican primary.
