Additional Coverage:
With Republican Senator J.D. Vance poised to assume the role of Vice President next year, Ohio will need to elect a new senator to fill his seat.
Ohio law dictates that the governor will appoint an interim senator, who will hold office until a special election is held. The special election will take place at the next regular state election that occurs more than 180 days after the vacancy.
If the unexpired term ends within a year of the regular election, the appointment will stand for the entire term.
As Republican Governor Mike DeWine will make the appointment, the seat is likely to remain in GOP hands. A special election is scheduled for November 2026.
Vance, who took office in 2023, will serve until early 2029.
Entrepreneur and author Vivek Ramaswamy has expressed interest in filling the Senate role if asked. Ramaswamy previously ran for the GOP presidential nomination before withdrawing and supporting Donald Trump.
In the 2024 elections, Republicans gained control of the Senate, according to Fox News projections.