COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former President Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance have been projected to win the 2024 presidential election.
Vance, the 39-year-old representing one of two of Ohio's seats in the Senate, may be a well-known name to Ohioans but came into Trump’s campaign as a relative political unknown to others across the nation. Despite that, he is positioned to become the next leader of Trump's political movement.
But what will happen to Vance's Senate seat now?
Vance will soon become the vice president, leaving a key Senate position up for grabs.
A few scenarios would play out when it comes to filling his seat.
By state law, Gov. Mike DeWine would appoint a replacement. Once appointed, the replacement would serve in that seat until a special election in 2026.
If the appointed replacement loses in the special election, the winning candidate will then take office in December 2026.
The winner doesn’t automatically earn a regular six-year Senate term, either. They would have to run again in 2028, which is when Vance’s original Senate term was up.