A potential replacement for Vance in the Senate is heading to Mar-a-Lago as speculation over who will fill the seat intensifies

One of the leading candidates to fill Vice President-elect JD Vance’s Senate seat in Ohio recently traveled to President-elect Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence as a decision from the state’s governor approaches.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine traveled to Trump’s home in Florida in recent days along with fellow Republican governor Jon Husted, believed to be a leading candidate to succeed Vance, although the details of a conversation are unclear, according to News 5 Cleveland first reported , and Fox News Digital has confirmed.

State law requires DeWine to select a Republican to take Vance’s place in the Senate until a special election is held in November 2026 to determine who serves out the remainder of Vance’s term, which ends in 2028. The winner of that special election could then run again in 2028 to begin a new six-year term.

Multiple sources told Fox News Digital that a final decision on Senate appointments is expected in the next few weeks as the new Congress is sworn in on January 3.

JD VANCE CRITICIZES NY TIMES READER for ‘whining’ about elderly neighbors’ prayers: ‘Stop being a weirdo’

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine will name Vice President-elect JD Vance’s successor in the Senate (Getty Images)

DeWine’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

The governor’s spokesman, Dan Tierney, told Fox News Digital last month that DeWine would look for a “workhorse” who is “qualified and ready to earn the trust of Ohio voters for another term.”

VANCE WILL LIKELY BE 2028 FRONT RUNNER, BUT RNC CHAIR ‘FRIENDLY ABOUT THE BENCH WE HAVE’

Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted speaks during the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 15, 2024. (Getty Images)

Fox News Digital previously reported that DeWine is considering several Senate candidates alongside Husted, including attorney Mehek Cooke, Republican Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, former Ohio GOP Chairwoman Jane Timken, Rep. Mike Carey and other.

“Governor DeWine faces a crucial decision in choosing Ohio’s next senator,” Cooke told Fox News Digital on Friday evening. “If Jon is the workhorse he chooses, he’s the right choice.”

“He is battle-tested, has decades of experience fighting for Ohioans and ensuring a stronger future for our state. If Jon is the choice, I’m behind him 100% – there’s too much at stake and we need someone to support Ohio.” It was an honor to interview the governor and he knows that It is my commitment to always put Ohio’s interests first.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

An endorsement from Trump and Vance will be crucial to any DeWine appointment because both are popular in the Buckeye State, where their ticket won by 11 points in November.

Husted has served as Ohio’s lieutenant governor since 2019 after previously serving eight years as secretary of state and a member of the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives.

Husted was widely expected to run for governor to replace DeWine, and his team has recently taken steps to allocate resources to that race. Sources tell Fox News Digital that former presidential candidate Vivek Ramawamy’s interest in running for governor has caused some potential gubernatorial candidates to reconsider their options given Ramaswamy’s deep financial resources.

Husted remains tight-lipped about the possible Senate nomination, but only says: “I will continue to serve this state as long as the people of Ohio have me. As for the future, I plan to announce my plans early next year.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the Trump transition team for comment but did not immediately receive a response.