Vice President-elect J.D. Vance announced Thursday his resignation from the Senate effective at midnight, so he can be sworn in as vice president on Jan. 20.
In a letter to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Mr. Vance wrote, “I hereby resign my office as a United States Senator from the State of Ohio, effective January 10, 2025.”
“As I prepare to assume my duties as Vice President of the United States, l would like to express that it has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve the people of Ohio in the Senate over the past two years,” Mr. Vance added.
In a statement to the people of Ohio, Mr. Vance wrote, “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.”
He said that the American people have granted President Trump an “undeniable mandate to put America first, both at home and abroad” and that “over the next four years, I will do all that I can to help President Trump enact his agenda.”
Mr. DeWine, a Republican, will appoint someone to fill the seat, which will be officially vacated at midnight Thursday, through the next scheduled federal election date in 2026.
The governor said he wants someone who would then run for the remaining two years of Mr. Vance’s scheduled term, and then again in 2028 for a full six-year term.
Mr. DeWine previously told reporters he wants to choose a candidate on whom both the moderate and Trump factions of the GOP can agree.
“It has to be someone who could win a primary. It has to be somebody who could win a general election, and then two years later, do it all again,” Mr. DeWine said. “So this is not for the faint-hearted. This is not for someone who just wants a seat.”
A handful of Ohio Republicans are being suggested as possibilities, including Rep. Mike Carey, who was re-elected in November to a second full term in Congress.
He expressed interest in becoming the Buckeye State’s next senator, Spectrum News reported, but his potential departure from the lower chamber would further trim the House GOP’s already narrow margin of control and could risk handing the majority to the Democrats.
Other Republicans being floated for the seat include Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Attorney General Dave Yost, Lt. Gov. John Husted and state Sen. Matt Dolan.
• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.