JD Vance to Resign from U.S. Senate Ahead of Inauguration as Vice President
Washington, D.C. – Republican Vice President-elect JD Vance announced on January 9 that he will resign from his U.S. Senate seat from Ohio effective at midnight, ahead of his inauguration later this month. Vance, who secured a significant political victory alongside President-elect Donald Trump in the November 5 U.S. election, will step down as part of the transition to his new role.
In the highly competitive election, Vance and Trump triumphed over the Democratic ticket, which included Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. The resignation of Vance, who had served as Ohio’s U.S. Senator for two years, comes as the Republican party has gained a narrow majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives following the November elections.
With Vance vacating his Senate seat, Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine will appoint a temporary replacement. The appointee will serve until a special election is held in November 2026. The winner of that special election will complete the remainder of Vance’s Senate term, which was set to end in January 2029.
In his resignation letter addressed to Governor DeWine, Vance expressed gratitude for his time in the Senate, calling it “a tremendous honor and privilege” to serve the people of Ohio. His resignation marks a pivotal moment in his political career as he prepares for the upcoming inauguration and assumes the role of Vice President.
This move is part of a broader reshuffling of leadership as both parties prepare for the new Congress and the start of the next presidential administration. As Vance transitions into his new role, political observers will closely follow how Ohio’s Senate seat is filled and the implications for future elections in the state.
More details about Vance’s successor and the upcoming special election will likely be announced in the coming weeks as the state moves forward with its political adjustments.
