Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance formally resigned his U.S. Senate seat Thursday, submitting his letter to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
Vance resigned his seat less than two weeks before taking office as Vice President alongside President-elect Donald Trump.
“I hereby resign my office as a United States Senator from the State of Ohio, effective January 10, 2025,” Vance wrote in his resignation letter. “As I prepare to assume my duties as Vice President of the United States, I would like to express that it has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve the people of Ohio.”
Vance, who won his Senate seat in 2022 by defeating Democrat Tim Ryan, departs the chamber after casting a final vote to break the filibuster on the “Laken Riley Act,” which would require federal officials to arrest and deport all illegal immigrants charged with crimes.
“To the people of Ohio, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for the privilege of representing you in the United States Senate,” Vance said in a statement.
“The American people have granted President Trump an undeniable mandate to put America first, both at home and abroad. Over the next four years, I will do all that I can to help President Trump enact his agenda.”
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, acknowledged Vance’s departure on social media.
“Over the last two years, he’s become a dear friend and trusted ally,” Lee wrote. “But the Senate’s loss is also the Senate’s gain, as he is about to become the president of the Senate—a job that belongs to the vice president.”
Take a look —
I will really miss having @JDVance as a colleague
Over the last two years, he’s become a dear friend and trusted ally
But the Senate’s loss is also the Senate’s gain, as he is about to become the president of the Senate—a job that belongs to the vice president pic.twitter.com/4AmqnLbhhH
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) January 10, 2025
Governor DeWine is expected to name Vance’s temporary replacement as early as Monday.
Cleveland.com reported that potential successors include Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, who recently visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, former Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timken, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and Representative Mike Carey.
Vance joins several members of Congress transitioning to the Trump administration, including Senator Marco Rubio, R-F.L., for secretary of state, Representative Mike Waltz, R-F.L., for national security adviser, and Representative Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
A special election in 2026 will determine who serves the remainder of Vance’s term, which originally ran through 2028.