The pick is in to replace Vice President-elect JD Vance in the Senate. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine picked Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to be the Buckeye State’s next senator. The decision could shape the future of the former swing state, which has shifted Republican in presidential and state-level elections in recent years.
The 57-year-old Husted has nearly 15 years of experience in statewide elected office in Ohio. His experience includes eight years administering Ohio’s elections as secretary of state before becoming lieutenant governor in 2019.
While former Republican presidential candidate and co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Vivek Ramaswamy, reportedly spoke with DeWine about the position, Ramaswamy will reportedly run to succeed the term-limited DeWine in the 2026 governor’s election.
Outlets including Fox News, The New York Times and The Washington Post reported Ramaswamy will enter the race. They report he will likely do so after the DOGE commission he co-leads with Elon Musk moves toward its goal of making major cuts to government spending.
Husted would have the choice to run for reelection in a 2026 special election. The winner of the special election would then run again in the regularly scheduled election in 2028.
