NEW: Frontrunner For JD Vance’s Vacated Senate Seat Is Revealed

With Senator J.D. Vance preparing to vacate his seat to assume the role of vice president, Ohio’s political landscape is bracing for a seismic shift. The race to succeed him in the Senate is already taking shape, with several prominent Republicans vying for the coveted spot. According to recent betting markets and political analysis, Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted has emerged as the clear frontrunner. Husted, a seasoned political operator with deep ties in Ohio’s Republican establishment, holds a commanding lead in early projections.

Polymarket’s betting odds show him with a staggering 78% likelihood of clinching the seat. His nearest competitor, former Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken, trails far behind with just 14% odds. Other contenders, including Secretary of State Frank LaRose and State Senator Matt Dolan, are in the low single digits, while biotech entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has failed to gain traction in this race, polling below 1%.

The fight for Vance’s seat highlights the growing ideological divides within the Republican Party. Husted’s reputation as a pragmatic conservative with executive experience makes him a natural choice for party leadership, but some GOP voters may prefer a candidate with a more populist bent. Timken’s campaign has signaled an intention to appeal to this base, emphasizing her ties to Donald Trump, who remains an influential figure in the state. However, political observers argue that Husted’s strong favorability ratings and extensive network of donors position him as the safest bet for the party to retain the seat. According to two Republican insiders who spoke to CNN, Husted is the frontrunner to fill the seat left by Vance. The decision falls to Republican Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who will appoint Vance’s successor after the first-term senator steps down.

.@Polymarket – Who will replace JD Vance as Ohio Senator?

Jon Husted – 78%
Jane Timken – 14%
Frank LaRose – 2%
Matt Dolan – 1%
V. Ramaswamy – 0.6%https://t.co/gbQeWp1K2S https://t.co/jxlMM7M4Vx pic.twitter.com/R0F6b6bKeR

— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) January 7, 2025

However, the two Republican sources noted that Husted’s acceptance of the Senate appointment remains uncertain. He has long aspired to become Ohio’s governor and even contended for the position against DeWine in the 2018 election cycle before ultimately joining forces with him as his running mate. Last month, both DeWine and Husted visited Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump, a meeting first reported by News5Cleveland.

Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted

“I continue to interview people in regard to their interest in going to the United States Senate,” DeWine said to reporters in December. “This has to be someone who really wants to do the job and do the work and who we think has the ability to do it.” He added that the appointee should be capable of not only winning the primary and general elections in 2026 but also retaining the seat in 2028, ensuring longevity in their role. “You particularly make a difference when the numbers are going to be, I guess, 53-47,” DeWine said about the role last month. “Every vote matters.”

In November, Dan Tierney, a spokesperson for the Governor, informed Fox News that DeWine is seeking a “workhorse” for the Senate seat, someone “qualified and ready to earn the trust of Ohio voters for another term.” Any resignation is required before Vance and President-elect Donald Trump take their oaths of office on January 20.