DeWine deputy emerges as front-runner to replace Vance in the Senate – Washington Examiner

David SivakJanuary 10, 2025

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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s deputy,⁣ Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, has emerged ⁤as ⁤the leading ‌candidate to replace J.D. Vance⁣ in the Senate ⁢following vance’s‍ resignation. The decision on ⁢the appointment will be made by DeWine soon, raising questions about Husted’s interest‌ in the position. Husted is seen ⁣as the‌ clear favorite for the role, notably in the wake of Vance’s ⁤departure, ⁤which occurred‍ on a Thursday night.

DeWine deputy emerges as front-runner to replace Vance in the Senate

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s right-hand man has emerged as the front-runner to replace Vice President-elect J.D. Vance in the Senate, with the open question turning to whether he wants the job.

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted is considered the prohibitive favorite for the seat, to be appointed by DeWine in the coming days after Vance resigned on Thursday night.

Husted had been contemplating a run for governor in 2026, given DeWine is term-limited, but the late consensus in Ohio political circles is that the Senate job is Husted’s for the taking.

“DeWine can still surprise, but it would be a shock to everyone,” one GOP consultant said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A spokesman for DeWine declined to share who might be on his Senate short list, but a separate source familiar with the discussions told the Washington Examiner that former Ohio GOP Chairwoman Jane Timken and former state Rep. Jay Edwards are also under serious consideration.

Should Husted be appointed to the seat, he would avoid a crowded GOP primary for governor next year to succeed DeWine. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is already raising money for a gubernatorial run, while Vivek Ramaswamy is considering the possibility as well.

Back in July, Yost told the Washington Examiner he supported the appointment of Husted to the Senate seat.

“He’s a good fundraiser and well known. I think we will have no shortage of people who can hold that seat,” he said.

DeWine, for his part, has teased that he wants an electable and results-oriented Republican. Whoever holds the seat will have to compete for the remainder of Vance’s term in a 2026 special election and then again for a full, six-year term in 2028.

“We want someone who’s gonna go there, or at least has the intent to stay, and do everything they can to stay there,” DeWine told the Washington Examiner at the Republican National Convention.

In August, DeWine signaled support for Husted should he decide to run for governor.

Ohio Attorney General and former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, right, and Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, center, wave to the audience during a news conference at the University of Dayton to announce their decision to share the ticket in their bid for the Ohio governorship on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017, in Dayton, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Husted stoked speculation on his political future three weeks ago when he and DeWine traveled to Mar-a-Lago to speak with President-elect Donald Trump.

DeWine visited Trump again on Thursday at a reception for GOP governors at his Florida residence. He told reporters that he would announce Vance’s replacement “probably next week.”