What happens to JD Vance’s Ohio Senate seat if he becomes VP?

Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) will be former President Trump’s vice presidential nominee, Trump announced Monday at the outset of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

The first-term senator has been one of Trump’s most vocal supporters in recent months, and was strongly backed by Donald Trump Jr. as the former president’s best pick to be second in command. 

A promotion to the White House after a potential November election victory would now leave Ohio without one of its senators.

Here’s what happens if Vance is elected vice president:

Interim senator

If Vance is elected to higher office, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) would select his immediate replacement in the Senate. 

Vance was first elected in 2022 with a term slated to end in 2028. According to Ohio state law, his governor-appointed successor would face a special election in November 2026 to vote on who will complete the term.

DeWine’s office told the Cleveland-based The Plain Dealer last month that it has not contemplated replacing Vance.

“We do not have a vacancy,” spokesperson Dan Tierney said. “Out of respect to both U.S. senators, we are not contemplating what would happen if either were not able to finish the term to which they are elected.”

DeWine celebrated Vance’s selection as vice presidential candidate in a CNN interview Monday.

“We’re very happy. This is a great day for Ohio,” he said. “Ohio truly is the heart of it all, as we say, and now we have the vice presidential candidate and we hope the next vice president of the United States.”

Statewide implications

If Vance were to leave the Senate, the open seat could quickly shake up the pecking order among Ohio Republicans. A number of notable politicians have already indicated that they are considering a run for governor in 2026 to replace DeWine, who is term-limited and expected to retire.

That group includes Lt. Gov. Jon Husted (R) and Attorney General Dave Yost (R). Recent GOP Senate candidates such as Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, state Sen. Matt Dolan or current Senate nominee Bernie Moreno could also be considered. 

A Moreno selection would first require him to lose his current Senate race against Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) this November.

Ohio Republican Chair Jane Timken, a Trump ally with ties to DeWine, could also fit the bill to continue Vance’s term, as would former state Treasurer Josh Mandel. Both lost the 2022 Senate primary to Vance.

Vivek Ramaswamy, a rising star among Ohio Republicans after his brief presidential campaign, indicated he could be interested to replace Vance in a CNN interview after the senator was announced as the pick.

“I think JD is gonna be a great vice president,” Ramaswamy said. “If asked to serve in that role, if JD is indeed the vice president — we’re going a couple steps ahead here, we don’t know who the vice president is yet … I would strongly consider it.”