Incoming U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has announced that he will resign from the Senate effective Friday. Vance, the Ohio representative, shared the news Thursday in a letter to Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who will appoint his successor.
“To the people of Ohio, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the honor of representing you in the Senate,” Vance said in the letter, the Associated Press reported. “When I was elected, I promised to never forget where I came from, and I have worked every day to keep that promise.”
Mr. Vance will be elected in 2022 to serve a six-year term in the Senate, but will step down after just two years to take up a new role as Vice President of the United States. “It is a great honor and privilege to serve as the Ohio State Senator,” Vance said.
Governor DeWine now faces the challenge of choosing Mr. Vance’s successor. The term of office for the appointees will run until December 2026, and they will need to campaign in November 2026 to complete the remainder of their terms.
Several prominent Ohio Republicans, including Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Treasury Secretary Robert Sprague, U.S. Representative Mike Carey, State Sen. Matt Dolan, former state Republican Party Chairwoman Jane Timken, and attorney Mehek Cook. is interested in this seat.
But recently, all eyes have been on Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who accompanied DeWine to Mar-a-Lago to meet with President-elect Donald Trump.
When asked about the discussion, DeWine declined to provide details. “We’re not ready to make an announcement yet, but we’ll make an announcement soon,” DeWine said, according to the Associated Press.
Husted, who also attended the event, added: “We’re looking at all options. That’s really all I want to say.”
Husted is considered a strong candidate not only for the Senate seat, but also for the 2026 gubernatorial race. He has a long political career, including serving as Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, State Senator, and Secretary of State.
No matter who DeWine chooses, the Senate seat will be temporarily filled and held in Republican hands until a permanent successor is chosen in the 2026 election.
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