2024 Election

Some Ohio Republicans Are Already Talking About Who Could Replace J.D. Vance in the Senate

Jane Timken, who ran for Senate in 2022, is having early conversations about the new VP pick’s Senate seat, two sources told NOTUS.

Mike DeWine

Gov. Mike DeWine told reporters he would not start thinking about who could replace Sen. J.D. Vance until after November. Carolyn Kaster/AP

By Oriana González and Reese Gorman

July 15, 2024 04:45 PM

MILWAUKEE — Minutes after Monday’s big question at the Republican National Convention was answered, Ohio delegates turned their attention to another question: Who will replace J.D. Vance in the Senate?

If Trump’s newly minted running mate wins the vice presidency in November, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine would need to pick a replacement senator. One name already being floated within the Ohio GOP is Jane Timken, the former chair of the state party who ran for Senate in 2022 but lost to Vance, according to a source familiar with the conversations.

Timken is already having conversations with Ohio Republicans about taking the vacant seat in the Senate if Trump wins the election, the source told NOTUS and another source confirmed.