COLUMBUS, Ohio — U.S. Senator J.D. Vance is set to resign from his Senate position on Thursday as he prepares to become the next Vice President of the United States under President-elect Donald Trump. Vance’s resignation will take effect at midnight, ending his two-year term as Ohio’s junior senator. He won the Senate seat in 2022, defeating Democrat Tim Ryan and succeeding former Republican Senator Rob Portman.
Vance and Trump will be sworn into office on January 20 in Washington, D.C. In a statement, Vance expressed gratitude to Ohioans for the opportunity to serve, saying, “I promised to never forget where I came from, and I’ve honored that promise every day.”
Trump announced Vance as his running mate during the Republican National Convention in July. The pair secured a victory in the 2024 presidential election, earning 312 electoral votes, while Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, received 226 votes.
With Vance leaving his Senate seat, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine must appoint someone to fill the vacancy temporarily. This appointee will serve until a special election in November 2026, where voters will choose who will complete Vance’s term, which runs through 2028.
Governor DeWine has kept quiet about his choice but is reportedly considering several candidates. Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted is seen as a leading contender, along with Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Treasurer Robert Sprague, state Senator Matt Dolan, and Attorney Mehek Cooke. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost was initially considered but has signaled plans to run for governor in 2026.
Husted has not confirmed his interest in the Senate seat, saying he is considering all options. DeWine has also hinted that Husted could make a strong candidate for governor in the future. The governor plans to announce his decision soon.
J.D. Vance, a native of Middletown, Ohio, gained national attention as the author of Hillbilly Elegy, which was later adapted into a Netflix movie. Though he was once critical of Trump, calling him a “moral disaster” in 2016, Vance later became a supporter of Trump’s policies. As a senator, he focused on reducing government spending and strengthening border security.
At age 40, Vance will be the first Vice President from Ohio and the first Ohioan in this role since 1944.
