JD Vance Resigns Senate Seat Ahead of Vice Presidential Inauguration

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine will appoint Vance's replacement, with Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted emerging as the leading candidate.

JD Vance officially resigned from his U.S. Senate seat on Thursday night as he prepares to be sworn in as Vice President on January 20, 2025.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is tasked with appointing a temporary replacement who will serve until a special election in 2026 to fill the remainder of Vance's term.
Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted is widely considered the front-runner for the appointment, though he has not publicly confirmed his interest in the position.
Other potential candidates for the Senate seat include former Ohio GOP Chair Jane Timken and state Rep. Jay Edwards, among others.
The appointed senator will need to compete in the 2026 special election and again in 2028 for a full six-year term.