Decision looming, Husted looks to be Senate frontrunner

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Because JD Vance was elected as vice president, he had to resign from his US Senate seat and now Ohio is awaiting a decision by Gov. Mike DeWine to fill that seat until 2026.  

DeWine has said several times that dozens of people are interested in the position. Over the past few weeks, the list of front-runners has narrowed, with Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, DeWine’s right-hand man, the apparent front-runner. 

“He has a proven track record,” Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the Ohio State University Paul Beck said. 

Beck said Husted has some important things that will bode well in his favor, like winning several statewide elections and extensive political experience in the legislative branch. Plus, six years ago, DeWine assured Husted that he would back him for governor if he chose to run in 2028, as part of a deal to join DeWine on his ticket. Now, that governor’s race may become crowded, with names like Vivek Ramaswamy and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost expected to run for the Republican ticket. 

“One way to take care of [Husted] is to put him into the Senate and give him a leg up on a run in two years for that vacant Senate seat,” Beck said. 

Beck said the biggest wild card for Husted is his relationship with President Donald Trump. DeWine and Trump have not always been the closest and even though the decision is entirely up to DeWine, if Trump does not like the governor’s pick, the popular president could attempt to primary DeWine’s pick in 2026. Beck said the question is, what is Husted’s relationship like with Trump, independent of DeWine.

“If Trump were to decide that he really doesn't want you, Husted, for instance, he could sabotage him and would,” Beck said. 

Former chair of the Ohio Republican Party Jane Timken is another front-runner. 

“Big fundraiser for the Republican Party, somebody who has been the state chair of the party, a major figure in national Republican politics,” Beck said. 

Beck said that while she has not been too active in state politics lately, she does have the nod from Trump, and is as likely as any Republican to win against a Democrat in a statewide election in two years. 

“One could see Trump, who likes to name his own people, reaching out and seeing her as a possibility,” Beck said. “Would she win the 2026 [special election]? I think quite likely she would.”

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose ran for U.S. Senate in 2024 and finished third in the primary. Beck said his statewide name recognition and endorsement from Trump for his race for secretary of state in 2022 may help give him an extra push.  

Treasurer of State Robert Sprague, Beck said, is in the same boat, that the statewide recognition may help him, but he is not sure it would take him far enough. 

Former state Rep. Jay Edwards raised a million dollars as a state representative and Beck said that ability is a big plus, but he said Edwards may not necessarily have the statewide name recognition the others in the running do, even having been the Ohio House Finance chair for two years. 

“That's not much statewide visibility,” Beck said. “You know, my guess is they're going to go to somebody who has statewide visibility, mainly because they have a lot of candidates there.” 

There are several other names who have been talked about, like former State Sen. Matt Dolan, who finished second in the Republican primary of U.S. Senate in 2024. 

Congressman Mike Carey’s name has also been floated, among a handful of others that have remained top of mind.  

All those named have been used by insiders and political experts as possible appointees, and many have expressed interest in the position, although DeWine has not confirmed or denied that anyone of these Republicans are in the running to receive the appointment.     

Beck said outside influences like Vance and Sen. Bernie Moreno may have the governor’s ear, but said that at the end of the day, even though it is DeWine’s call, one voice will be the loudest.  

“My sense is, even though DeWine will make the pick and will cherish making the pick, Trump will be very, very persuasive there,” Beck said. 

Insiders have said they expect a decision sometime on Wednesday, but as of the posting of this article, DeWine has not committed to any date or time to make the announcement.