What happens to JD Vance’s Senate seat and others in Congress selected to join the Trump administration
Washington — President-elect Donald Trump is about to return After a decisive victory in the 2024 election, he will enter the White House next year. He is expected to bring in several lawmakers to round out his administration — from Senator J.D. Vance elected Vice President arrive Rep. Elise Stefanik As his chosen ambassador to the United Nations
With these moves, lawmakers will have to vacate their seats when the new Congress begins in January to prepare for the process of replacing them. The process varies between the two chambers and from state to state.
Here’s how to fill the vacancy:
fill Senate vacancies
Rules vary from state to state on how to fill Senate vacancies. In 45 states, the governor appoints a successor until the next election, and only five states – Kentucky, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wisconsin – have vacancies filled through quick special elections.
Trump in July named Vance, an Ohio Republican who is first elected to the Senate in 2022, as his running mate, prompting him to leave the Senate after the election to serve as vice president. And Trump is expected Named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as nominee for secretary of state, a Cabinet position that requires Senate confirmation.
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In both Florida and Ohio, the governor appoints a replacement who serves until the next statewide election. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Florida Governor. Ron DeSantis will appoint someone Fill their respective seats until a special election in 2026. The winner of the 2026 election will serve out the remainder of Vance and Rubio’s terms, meaning that person must run again in 2028.
DeWine and DeSantis both have a long history with Trump, and the Ohio governor is one of the few high-profile Republicans who has refused to endorse Trump’s 2024 campaign. Relations between DeSantis and Trump were similarly frosty after they faced off in the Republican presidential primaries earlier this year. But both Republican governors are expected to work in the best interests of the Republican Party, especially after Trump’s decisive victory.
It remains to be seen who governors will appoint to replace Vance and Rubio. In Ohio, names like Secretary of State Frank LaRose, state Sen. Matt Dolan and former Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken are bandied about, as well as several members who represent Ohio in the House.
In Florida, several possibilities arise DeSantis appointed, Among them is Lara Trump, Trump’s daughter-in-law and co-chair of the Republican National Committee. DeSantis chief of staff James Utell and Florida Lt. Gov. Janet Nunes are also among the nominees, as are Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and former Florida House Speaker Jose ·The same goes for Olivia.
fill vacancies in the House of Representatives
Vacancies in the House of Representatives are filled by special elections. But the timing of these elections may vary.
trump card Choose StefanikThe current Republican conference chair serves as ambassador to the United Nations and is preparing to hold a special election to fill her seat representing New York’s 21st Congressional District. Stefanik won the district, which is flush red, by more than 20 points in his re-election bid last week, making it a safe seat for Republicans in the special election. But the seat will remain vacant until a special election — set by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, which could take up to 90 days — is expected to be held by Republicans in the House A slim majority.
Rep. Michael Waltz, Trump Selected serves as his national security adviser and also represents a solidly red district in Florida. His seat will also be filled through a special election, and DeSantis is expected to work to establish a timetable for his replacement as quickly as possible.
