Vance’s potential Senate replacement is traveling to Mar-a-Lago as speculation mounts about filling the seat

One of the most prominent candidates for the position of Vice President-elect J.D. VanceOhio’s Senate seat recently traveled to President-elect Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence as the state’s gubernatorial decision approaches.

Governor of Ohio Mike DeWine He traveled to Trump’s Florida home with fellow Republican Gov. Jon Husted, believed to be the leading candidate to replace Vance, in recent days, though details of any conversation are unclear, News 5 Cleveland and Fox News Digital first reported. And he confirmed.

State law requires DeWine to choose a Republican to replace Vance in the Senate until a special election is held in November 2026 to determine who will serve the rest of Vance’s term, which expires in 2028. The winner of that special election can then run. Again in 2028 to begin a new six-year term.

A final decision on the Senate appointment is expected to be made in the next few weeks, as the new Congress will be sworn in on January 3, multiple sources told Fox News Digital.

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DeWine’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

The governor’s spokesman, Dan Tierney, told Fox News Digital last month that DeWine will look for a “backbone” who is “qualified and prepared to earn the trust of Ohio voters for another term.”

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Fox News Digital I mentioned previously DeWine is considering, along with Husted, several Senate candidates, including attorney Mehek Cook, Republican Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, former Ohio GOP Chairman Gene Timken, Rep. Mike Curry and others.

“Governor DeWine has a critical decision to make in selecting Ohio’s next senator,” Cook told Fox News Digital on Friday evening. “If John is the workhorse he chooses, it’s the right choice.”

“He is battle-tested, with decades of experience fighting for Ohioans and securing a stronger future for our state. If John is the choice, I support him 100% – there is a lot at stake, and we need someone who will put Ohio in its rightful place.” “First, it was an honor to interview the Governor, knowing that it is my commitment to always put Ohioans’ interests first.”

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The endorsement of Trump and Vance would be crucial to any DeWine appointment, since both are popular in the Buckeye State, where their ticket won by 11 points in November.

Husted, who is believed to be the only Senate candidate to have traveled to Trump’s home, has been Ohio’s lieutenant governor since 2019 after serving eight years as secretary of state and a member of both the state Senate and Ohio House of Representatives before that.

Husted was widely expected to run for governor to replace DeWine, and his team recently took steps to allocate resources to that race. Sources told Fox News Digital that the former presidential candidate Vivek Ramwami Interest in running for governor has led some potential gubernatorial candidates to reevaluate their options, given Ramaswamy’s deep pockets.

Husted has remained mum about a potential Senate appointment other than to say, “I will continue to serve this state as long as the people of Ohio will have me. As for the future, I intend to announce my plans early next year.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Trump’s transition team for comment but did not immediately receive a response.