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 announcement after significant speculation and consideration of a “large number of people,” including former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Husted said at the press conference that he plans to get to work quickly and will run in the special election in 2026 to serve the remainder of Vance’s term.

“It is my honor to accept the appointment to serve the people of Ohio in the U.S. Senate,” Husted said.

While Husted may be a relatively new face on the national scene, he has extensive experience in Ohio politics. He did have a moment on the national stage in July at the Republican National Convention when he formally nominated Vance for vice president.

He began his political career in the Ohio state House, eventually becoming one of the youngest to ever serve as Speaker.

He served a brief stint in the state Senate before being elected as Ohio secretary of state in 2010. He was reelected in 2014 and initially sought the governorship in 2018 but dropped his bid to run for lieutenant governor as the running mate for DeWine.

DeWine and Husted narrowly won in 2018 but comfortably cruised to reelection in 2022.

DeWine said Friday that his appointment decision was difficult, and he wanted someone who knew the state well, understands the interactions between the federal and state government and be a “workhorse” in the Senate. He also said he wanted his choice to have the “skillsets” and “determination” to be willing to run for the office again and again.

The replacement for Vance, who announced his resignation from the seat last week, will only be able to serve through gubernatorial appointment through 2026, when the nominee must stand for a special election. The candidate would then have to run again in 2028 for a full term.

“There were many people who I considered very qualified to serve in the United States Senate, to represent the state of Ohio, but I came to the conclusion as you see that the person who is best suited to be United States senator is a person who has been close to me for the last six years, a person who almost daily I work with, and that is Lt. Gov. Jon Husted,” DeWine said.

Husted said he looks forward to working with President-elect Trump, Vance and the Senate GOP majority to fight inflation, end illegal immigration and advance “conservative values.” He said as senator, he wants to push for returning power from the federal government to the states, especially in education, workforce and social programs.

“I know Ohio well, and I will fight for Ohio as a U.S. senator,” he said.

Husted said he hopes to particularly have an impact on the role of technology in people’s lives.

Before his appointment to the Senate, Husted was speculated to be eyeing a run for governor in 2026 to succeed DeWine, who will be term-limited. But Husted said the appointment to the Senate was an opportunity that “you can’t pass up.”

Husted said he does not know exactly when he will be sworn into office, but he has spoken with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and “sooner is better.”

Husted is married to his wife, Tina, and has three children.

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