Speculation is growing in Ohio as the race to fill JD Vance’s soon-to-be-vacant Senate seat heats up. Sources close to the Ohio Republican Party reveal that President-elect Trump favorite Vivek Ramaswamy, a former GOP presidential candidate and outspoken conservative entrepreneur, has emerged as a top contender for the position. With Vance set to become vice president alongside Trump in January, GOP Governor Mike DeWine will be tasked with selecting his Senate replacement.
Top GOP strategists told The New York Post that only two candidates remain in serious contention: Jane Timken and Vivek Ramaswamy. Sources close to Governor DeWine suggest that Timken, a Harvard-educated attorney and former chair of the Ohio Republican Party, holds a slight edge with the governor. Ultimately, the decision will likely depend on President-elect Trump’s influence. If Trump pushes DeWine to choose a candidate who embodies the Make America Great Again movement, Ramaswamy is expected to come out on top, insiders say. However, if DeWine opts to maintain his moderate approach in making the selection, Timken is seen as the more likely choice, according to experts.
When a U.S. Senate seat is vacated, each state follows its own procedures, as outlined in state law, for filling the vacancy. In Ohio, the governor has the authority to appoint an interim senator. This appointment serves as a temporary solution until a special election can be held for voters to select a permanent successor. Under Ohio law, the governor holds the power to appoint a temporary successor when a Senate seat becomes vacant. While this appointment is temporary, it carries significant responsibility and influence, bridging the gap until the electorate can choose a permanent replacement in a special election. That said, the period of interim representation is not just a placeholder but an important phase in which key legislative decisions and policy advancements can take place.
“She’s [Timken] a good compromise between MAGA and DeWine, in my opinion,” said a Republican insider involved in Ohio’s senatorial transitions, speaking to The Post. The Ohio GOP’s primary concern is the potential challenge posed by Democrat Sherrod Brown in the special election to fill Vance’s seat until 2028. The chosen candidate must not only align with a conservative agenda on Capitol Hill but also have the charisma and appeal to compete against Brown in a statewide race, especially without Trump leading the ticket.
Timken is considered a conservative but has shown tendencies to bridge the moderate-conservative divide within the Republican Party. But others believe that Ramaswamy has the advantage. “It’s going to be Vivek,” said a GOP insider at Miami University in Ohio to The Post. “DeWine isn’t going to like it, but Trump is the one who’s gonna make the call. And DeWine will take that call.”
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.