One of the leading candidates to fill the Vice President-elect position JD VanceThe Ohio Senate seat recently visited President-elect Trump's Mar-a-Lago home as a decision from the state's governor nears.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine he visited Trump's Florida home with Lt. Gov. Republican Jon Husted, believed to be the top candidate to replace Vance, in recent days, though the details of any conversation are unclear, News 5 Cleveland first reported, and Fox News Digital . confirmed.
State law dictates that DeWine will nominate a Republican to replace Vance in the Senate until a special election is held in November 2026 to determine who will serve out the remainder of Vance's term, which ends in 2028. 2028 to start a new six-year term.
Multiple sources told Fox News Digital that a final decision on the Senate nomination is expected in the next few weeks as the new Congress will be sworn in on January 3.
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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine will name JD Vance as his deputy for the Senate (Getty Images)
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 seek a “caretaker” who is “qualified and committed to earning the trust of Ohio voters for another term.”
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Lt. Gov. Jon Husted of Ohio speaks during the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 15, 2024. (Getty Images)
Fox News Digital previously reported what DeWine thinks, along with Husted, several Senate candidates, including attorney Mehek Cooke, Ohio Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose, former Ohio GOP Chairwoman Jane Timken, Rep. Mike Carey and others.
“Governor DeWine has an important decision coming up in selecting Ohio's next Senator,” Cooke told Fox News Digital on Friday night. “If Jon is the workhorse he chooses, he's the right choice.”
“He's battle-tested, has decades of experience fighting for Ohioans and securing a strong future for our state. If Jon is the nominee, I'm 100% behind him — there's a lot is at stake, and we need someone who will put Ohio first. It was an honor to speak with the Governor, and you know my commitment is to put Ohio's interests first.
Endorsements from Trump and Vance will be key to any DeWine reunion, as both are popular in the Buckeye State, where their ticket won by 11 points in November.
Husted has served as Ohio's governor since 2019 after serving eight years as Secretary of State and a member of the state Senate and Ohio House of Representatives before that.
Husted is expected to run for governor instead of DeWine, and his group has recently taken steps to provide resources in the race. Sources tell Fox News Digital that the former presidential candidate Mother of Vivek Ramwamy The rush to run for governor has made some would-be gubernatorial candidates reconsider their choices, given Ramaswamy's deep pockets.
Husted remained tight-lipped about a possible Senate run other than to say, “I will continue to serve this district as long as the people of Ohio will be with me. As for the future, I am committed to 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.