Vice President-elect JD Vance Steps Down from Senate

Vice President-elect JD Vance announced he will resign from his US Senate seat, with his departure effective Friday. He had conveyed his decision in a letter addressed to the Republican Governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine, on Thursday who will choose his successor.

"To the people of Ohio, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for the privilege of representing you in the United States Senate. When I was elected to this office, I promised to never forget where I came from, and I've made sure to live by that promise every single day," Vance wrote.

"As I prepare to assume my duties as Vice President of the United States, I would like to express that it has been a tremendous honour and privilege to serve the people of Ohio in the Senate over the past two years," Vance said.

The successor to Vance, who was elected last year to a six-year term, is solely responsible to DeWine for appointment. Interest in an open seat has been expressed by several elected Republicans, including Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Treasurer Robert Sprague, US Rep. Mike Carey, state Sen. Matt Dolan, former Republican state chair Jane Timken, and GOP attorney and strategist Mehek Cooke.

On the other hand, speculation in recent weeks has largely revolved around Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who accompanied DeWine to Mar-a-Lago to meet President-elect Donald Trump.

Having been asked about it during a bill-signing at the Statehouse Wednesday, DeWine refrained from commenting.

"I'm not ready to make an announcement yet, but coming soon," he said.

Husted, who was also present, said simply: "We're considering all the options and just, that's really all I have to say."

Husted has always been seen as a top candidate for the 2026 gubernatorial race, after nearly a decade of preparation for the position he has been groomed for. Ohio House speaker, state senator and two-term secretary of state before going under the radar.

Whoever DeWine chooses will serve for the country until December 2026 and would have to run for the rest of the term in November 2026.