DeWine passes over Ramaswamy, selects Jon Husted for Senate

Gov. Mike DeWine announced his own Lt. Gov. Jon Husted as the next senator from Ohio, passing over entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

“Jon Husted will be right at home in the United States Senate, and he’ll be at home on day one,” DeWine said Friday in a press conference at the statehouse in Columbus.

Husted, a Republican more in DeWine’s institutionalist mold, had long planned to run for governor in 2026 to succeed DeWine. His ascent to the Senate will likely scramble the field in that race.

Ramaswamy learned mid-morning Friday he would not be the pick, according to a person familiar with the discussion and granted anonymity to describe it.

DeWine's deliberations were upended when Ramaswamy, the billionaire Columbus-area entrepreneur and co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency, made a late appeal for the vacancy. Despite insisting he was interested in running for governor in 2026, the DOGE co-chair was "lobbying like hell" for the Senate post, according to a source familiar with DeWine's thinking.

"It was bizarre," said this source.

A source close both to Trump world and Ramaswamy said that the Ohio billionaire enjoys the backing of the Trump family.

“They're not supporters of DeWine,” this person, granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the Trump family’s behalf. “They didn't want to see Husted in the governor race. Trump supports this.”

The governor, a former two-term senator himself, is an outspoken internationalist. And in recent years, he has openly expressed unease about his party's drift toward the sort of isolationism Ramaswamy often voiced in his short-lived presidential bid. DeWine said he called Trump at 10 a.m. today to disclose his pick, but did not disclose their conversations.

"He's a serious guy for very serious times," said the source of Husted. "And nobody knows the state better."

The seat opened officially when Vance resigned from his seat at midnight last Friday, following his ascension to the vice presidency.

Husted, a protege of the more moderate, less populist, old-school GOP DeWine, will serve through the special election in 2026. Before serving as lieutenant governor, Husted was the speaker of the Ohio House and was elected to the secretary of state.

Husted signaled a willingness to work with Trump, though, on Friday. “President Trump won Ohio by 11 points in this past election, and I will do all I can to help him and JD Vance be successful,” Husted said in his remarks Friday.

Ramaswamy, meanwhile, is expected to focus on attempting to gain some policy wins at DOGE while announcing a gubernatorial run in the coming weeks, two people familiar with his plans say.

Jonathan Martin contributed to this report.

Topics

Vivek Ramaswamy to leave DOGE, announce run for Ohio governor, sources say

Ramaswamy is expected to announce his run for governor early next week, the sources said.
ABC News - 4h
Trump selects private equity CEO Pulte as top housing regulator

Politico - 4d
Ramaswamy leaving DOGE to pursue run for Ohio governor

Before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office, NBC News confirms Vivek Ramaswamy is leaving DOGE and intends to announce his candidacy for Ohio governor. The Department of Government ...
NBC News - 6h
Vivek Ramaswamy expected to depart DOGE

Trump's choice to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency is expected to announce a gubernatorial campaign after the new administration begins.
CBS News - 23h
Jon Husted, Ohio's lieutenant governor, tapped to replace JD Vance in Senate

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday announced his lieutenant governor, Jon Husted, will replace Vice President-elect JD Vance in the U.S. Senate.
ABC News - 1d
Tim Stutzle's shootout goal lifts Senators over Bruins 6-5

Tim Stutzle scored in the shootout to lift the Ottawa Senators to a 6-5 win over the Boston Bruins
ABC News - 1d
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine appoints Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to Vance's Senate seat

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has appointed his lieutenant governor, Jon Husted, to the Senate seat recently vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance.
NBC News - 2d
Vivek Ramaswamy Plans to Run for Ohio Governor

The entrepreneur will continue leading Donald J. Trump’s government efficiency project before turning his attention to a campaign. He has encountered some turbulence with Mr. Trump, and with Elon ...
The New York Times - 2d
Who is Jon Husted, Vance's replacement in the Senate?

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted (R) is set to become the newest addition to the Senate after Gov. Mike DeWine (R) selected him to fill Vice President-elect JD Vance's seat on Friday. DeWine made the ...
The Hill - 3d
Ohio's Jon Husted to fill JD Vance's Senate seat

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced he wants Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to fill Vice President-elect JD Vance's Senate seat. This comes after reports emerged of Vivek Ramaswamy, a Donald Trump ally, possibly ...
CBS News - 3d
Jon Husted, Ohio's lieutenant governor, to fill Vance's Senate seat

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine named Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to fill the Senate seat that Vice President-elect JD Vance is vacating.
CBS News - 3d
Ohio Gov. DeWine appoints Lt. Gov. Husted to fill Vance's Senate seat

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has appointed Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to fill the Senate seat that was recently vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance.
NBC News - 3d
Ramaswamy plans run for Ohio governor

Vivek Ramaswamy, the co-chair of President-elect Trump's new "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE), plans to run for governor of Ohio, two sources confirmed to The Hill on Friday. The Ohio ...
The Hill - 3d
DeWine Names Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to Fill JD Vance’s Senate Seat

Vivek Ramaswamy, who was also seen as a possible replacement for the vice president-elect, is widely expected to run for governor of Ohio instead.
The New York Times - 3d
Watch live: DeWine poised to announce Vance's Senate replacement

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) is expected Friday afternoon to announce the Senate replacement for Vice President-elect JD Vance. With just days left until President-elect Trump returns to the Oval ...
The Hill - 3d
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted expected to fill Vance's Senate seat

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) is expected to announce Friday that he is selecting Lt. Gov. Jon Husted (R) to fill the Senate seat vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance, a longtime Republican ...
The Hill - 3d
Trump Taps Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone and Jon Voight as Hollywood ‘Ambassadors’

The president-elect said the actors would be his “eyes and ears” with the goal of helping the entertainment industry, which he said had lost business to foreign countries.
The New York Times - 4d
Senators grill Trump's attorney general pick over false 2020 election claims

Pam Bondi, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general, faced questions on Justice Department independence and the 2020 election at her confirmation hearing. Nikole Killion reports ...
CBS News - 4d
Ramaswamy Has a High-Profile Perch and a Raft of Potential Conflicts

Vivek Ramaswamy, Elon Musk’s partner in an effort to cut government costs, could make decisions that ultimately make him and his investors richer.
The New York Times - 5d
Ramaswamy Has a High-Profile Perch and a Raft of Potential Conflicts

Vivek Ramaswamy, Elon Musk’s partner in an effort to cut government costs, could make decisions that ultimately make him and his investors richer.
The New York Times - 5d
Vivek Ramaswamy emerges as a surprise prospect for Vance's old Senate seat

Vivek Ramaswamy is in discussions about filling Vice President-elect JD Vance’s Senate seat in Ohio, two people briefed on the process told NBC News.
NBC News - 5d
Ramaswamy and DeWine met to discuss Ohio Senate appointment

The DOGE co-leader previously took himself out of the running for the post.
Politico - 5d
Activist Browning West wants to collaborate as CAE selects a new leader. Here’s what can happen next

The firm sent a letter to the aviation services company's board, calling for a collaboration as CAE shops for a new CEO.
CNBC - Jan. 11
Maiocco's NFL mock draft 1.0: 49ers select Texas A&M defensive lineman

With the 49ers set to release defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, Matt Maiocco projects that San Francisco will select Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart with the No. 11 overall pick.
Yahoo Sports - Jan. 10
Musk and Ramaswamy sending agents across US government to seek cuts

So-called department of government efficiency charged by Trump to help effect radical government shake-up. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have already dispatched emissaries across the US ...
The Guardian - Jan. 10
House passes International Criminal Court sanctions bill over Israeli arrest warrants

Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security The Big Story House passes bill to sanction ICC over Israeli arrest warrants The ...
The Hill - Jan. 9
Over 17,000 doctors urge Senate to reject RFK Jr. as health secretary

Thousands of doctors are calling on the Senate to reject Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., saying he is "actively dangerous."
CBS News - Jan. 9
House passes ICC sanctions bill; GOP Senate leader promises to bring it to floor

The House on Thursday passed legislation to sanction officials with the International Criminal Court (ICC), pushing back against the court's decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime ...
The Hill - Jan. 9
Trump, GOP senators wrestle over strategy for president-elect's agenda

President-elect Trump and Republican senators wrestled over the best strategy for moving Trump’s top agenda items, including border security and tax relief, during a two-hour meeting at the Capitol ...
The Hill - Jan. 9
"A New Earth" makes history as Oprah's first-ever repeat book club selection

Oprah Winfrey reveals her newest book club selection, "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose" by Eckhart Tolle, only on "CBS Mornings." The book, focused on finding peace and living in the ...
CBS News - Jan. 7
Trump comments deepen GOP disagreement over how to pass his agenda

President-elect Trump’s public back-and-forth over whether Republicans should pass his agenda in one or two massive packages is deepening the disagreements among lawmakers over how to tackle the ...
The Hill - Jan. 7
Dr. Jon LaPook unpacks surgeon general's call for cancer warnings on alcohol

The U.S. surgeon general is calling for cancer risk warning labels to be added to alcoholic beverages. In an advisory released Friday, Dr. Vivek Murthy said that, given the conclusive evidence on ...
CBS News - Jan. 3
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted emerges as the late favorite for Vance's Senate seat

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted has emerged as a late and leading contender to succeed JD Vance in the Senate, three Republicans familiar with the process said Friday.
NBC News - Jan. 3
Jaxson Dart ends Ole Miss career with 4 TD passes, 52-20 romp over Duke in Gator Bowl

Ole Miss was a 17 1/2-point favorite, according to BetMGM, mostly because the Blue Devils (9-4) were without quarterback Maalik Murphy and running back Star Thomas. Both entered the transfer portal ...
Yahoo Sports - Jan. 3
Vivek Ramaswamy Leaves Something Out of His Story of South Asian Success

It’s a culture not of success but of survival.
The New York Times - Jan. 3
2025 Pro Bowl rosters: Ravens lead all teams with nine selections; Patrick Mahomes misses cut

The full rosters for the 2025 Pro Bowl
CBS Sports - Jan. 2
2025 Pro Bowl rosters: WR Zay Flowers' selection makes history for Ravens

Flowers has made the Pro Bowl in his second NFL season
CBS Sports - Jan. 2
Ramaswamy is wrong: Why ’90s America was the pinnacle of greatness

Vivek Ramaswamy's critique of '90s American culture, which he dismisses as frivolous, overlooks the joy, creativity, and meritocracy that made the era great, and the influence it had on the world.
The Hill - Jan. 2
49ers QB Purdy passes Mahomes for rare NFL passing crown

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy made NFL history in San Francisco's loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday and passed Patrick Mahomes in the process.
Yahoo Sports - Jan. 1