Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has appointed his lieutenant governor, Jon Husted, to the Senate seat recently vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance. DeWine praised Husted’s knowledge of Ohio, his heart, and his skills as making him the right person for the job. Husted will hold the Senate seat at least through a 2026 special election. His appointment to the Senate seat has broader ramifications on Ohio’s political landscape, as it removes him from a long-planned run for governor in 2026.
Husted’s selection comes after he emerged as a leading contender for the seat, with DeWine emphasizing the importance of appointing someone who could win a competitive Republican primary next year. Husted confirmed that he will run to keep the seat and spoke with former President Donald Trump, who congratulated him. Trump’s endorsement could be crucial in a GOP primary.
The decision to appoint Husted to the Senate seat reduces the risk of a bruising primary against biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who is considering a run for governor. Other prominent Republicans, including Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and state Treasurer Robert Sprague, are also preparing their own bids for governor. DeWine and Husted have been allies since 2018 when they ran together. Husted praised DeWine’s opinion of him but noted that the governor did not push him toward accepting the appointment.
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