Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) will be former President Trump’s vice presidential nominee, Trump announced Monday at the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
The first-term senator has been one of Trump’s most vocal supporters in recent months and was strongly backed by Donald Trump Jr. as the former president’s top choice to be second-in-command.
A promotion to the White House after a potential victory in the November election would leave Ohio without one of its senators.
Here’s what will happen if Vance is elected vice president:
Acting senator
If Vance is elected to higher office, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) would select his immediate replacement in the Senate.
Vance was first elected in 2022 with a term set to end in 2028. Under Ohio state law, his governor-appointed successor would face a special election in November 2026 to vote on who will complete the term.
DeWine’s office told the Cleveland-based newspaper The Simple Trader last month that he did not consider replacing Vance.
“We don’t have a vacancy,” said spokesman Dan Tierney. “Out of respect for both U.S. senators, we are not contemplating what would happen if neither of them were able to complete the term for which they were elected.”
DeWine celebrated Vance’s selection as his vice presidential candidate in an interview with CNN on Monday.
“We are very happy. This is a great day for Ohio,” he said. “Ohio is truly the heart of it all, as we say, and now we have the vice presidential candidate and we look forward to the next vice president of the United States.”
Statewide Implications
If Vance were to leave the Senate, the open seat could quickly shake up the ranks among Ohio Republicans. Several notable politicians have already indicated they are considering running for governor in 2026 to replace DeWine, who is term-limited and expected to retire.
That group includes Lt. Gov. Jon Husted (R) and Attorney General Dave Yost (R). Recent GOP Senate candidates such as Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, State Senator Matt Dolan or current Senate candidate Bernie Moreno could also be considered.
A Moreno selection would first require him to lose his current Senate race against Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) this November.
Ohio Republican Chairwoman Jane Timken, a Trump ally with ties to DeWine, could also fit the bill to continue Vance’s term, as could former state Treasurer Josh Mandel. Both lost the 2022 Senate primaries to Vance.
Vivek Ramaswamy, a rising star among Ohio Republicans after his brief presidential campaign, indicated he might be interested in replacing Vance in an interview with CNN after the senator was announced as the pick.
“I think JD will make a great vice president,” Ramaswamy said. “If asked to fill that role, if JD is in fact the vice president — we’re taking a few steps forward here, we don’t know who the vice president is yet… I would strongly consider that.”
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
