With Vance ascending to the vice-presidency, Ohio state law dictates that Gov. Mike DeWine will select a replacement until a special election can be held in November of 2026 to determine who finishes out Vance's term which ends in 2029.
Fox News has reported that no less than eight names are in the mix including former presidential candidate and Ohio native Vivek Ramaswamy, who is a Trump loyalist.
Tom Zawistowski is the president of We the People Convention and the Ohio Citizens PAC.
"We're hearing that Gov. DeWine may consider Vivek, but I think there's politics behind that because Vivek has also suggested that he would run for governor against the Lt. Gov. John Husted in 2026. My guess is that Gov. DeWine wants to protect Husted, who is his lieutenant governor and a close ally."
But Zawistowski says DeWine may opt for state Sen. Matt Dolan, who is considered an establishment Republican.
"Matt Dolan is not a conservative. He likes to think he is. He will tell you that he is, but he doesn't vote that way. He would be more like Rob Portman, who was the Republican senator who basically gave us gay marriage. And that would not be good."
Zawistowski says a good alternative pick would be Sec. of State Frank LaRose.
