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VP-elect Vance to resign from US Senate at midnight, clearing stage for successor

US Senate candidate JD Vance (R) speaks at a voter rally in Columbus.
Statehouse News Bureau
/
Daniel Konik
US Senate candidate JD Vance (R) speaks at a voter rally in Columbus.

Vice President-elect JD Vance will resign from his seat in the US Senate at midnight, a spokesperson for Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said.

Vance said in a statement: “To the people of Ohio, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for the privilege of representing you in the United States Senate. When I was elected to this office, I promised to never forget where I came from, and I’ve made sure to live by that promise every single day.”

DeWine, who appoints Vance's successor, has said he was waiting on Vance’s official resignation to announce his choice to fill Vance’s seat. Vance didn’t have to resign until his inauguration in about two weeks, on Jan. 20—when he and President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in.

DeWine has offered no hints about who he might appoint, but most political observers believe Lt. Gov. Jon Husted is at the top of the list.

Many Republicans have expressed interest in the seat, including former Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timken. Another possibility is tech entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, but he was appointed to head the new federal Department of Government Efficiency along with Elon Musk by Trump, and said in November he was not interested in the position.

This is a breaking story and will be updated.

Contact Karen at 614-578-6375 or at kkasler@statehousenews.org.