Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) is planning to appoint Husted at a Friday afternoon press conference, according to two sources familiar with the decision. 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. 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.

DeWine’s choice has major ramifications in Ohio, where Husted was expected to run for governor in 2026. Ramaswamy is also considering a gubernatorial run, with further competition expected from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

DeWine is term-limited and previously signaled support for Husted should he have 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.