Sen. JD Vance just won a promotion to vice president.
The Ohio Republican lawmaker and his incoming boss—once-and-future President Donald Trump—did so in mandate-producing fashion.
Beyond just their trouncing of Democrats Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, Trump and Vance also outperformed just about all down-ballot Republicans.
That makes the Senate Republicans’ choice as their leader—K Street darling Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.—extraordinarily nauseating.
Trump supporters had rapidly rallied en masse behind Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. Republican senators voted him third out of three—via secret ballots. Because transparency and responsiveness to the electorate. Not.
And just recently we had the addled outgoing Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky reportedly saying: “There will be no recess appointments” of Trump Cabinet nominees.
We the People voted for Trump—as a repudiation of Washington business-as-usual. Senate Republicans have repeatedly responded with a resounding “Screw you guys.”
Thankfully, the choice of Vance’s Senate successor doesn’t fall to the Senate.
“According to Ohio law, when a Senate seat vacancy occurs, the sitting governor ‘may appoint some suitable person having the necessary qualifications for senator,’ People magazine reported, adding:
“This is good news for Republicans as Ohio’s Republican Gov. Mike DeWine is expected to pick another member of the GOP to succeed Vance.
“DeWine’s appointee will serve as interim senator until Dec. 15, 2026. Then, the winner of that year’s special election will fill the remainder of Vance’s term until 2028.”
DeWine presides over a state that just voted for Trump 55.2% to 43.7%. That’s a mandate-producing 11.5% spread.
He should listen to his Ohio constituents and pick the most Trumpian senator—the way his state (and the rest of U.S.) picked Trump.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is seen here on July 14, ahead of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Three lead possibilities have emerged, but only one stands out as the proper successor to Vance.
DeWine described his prospective choice thusly:
“‘It has to be someone who could win a primary. It has to be somebody who could win a general election, and then two years later, do it all again.’”
Let us look at the leading three—through DeWine’s prism.
State Sen. Matt Dolan: “(C)ompeted in the GOP Senate primary and was endorsed by Mr. DeWine, is a potential choice for the Ohio governor to consider. But gaining support among Trump voters in the primary could be difficult for him, as he carries many moderate positions in a state Mr. Trump carried by double digits,” The Washington Times reported Monday.
Quite obviously not the Trumpian choice. He just lost a U.S. Senate primary—for not being Trumpian enough. That should be an immediate disqualification for a free pass to a U.S. Senate seat.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose: “Mr. LaRose served in the Ohio Senate between 2011 and 2018, and President-elect Donald Trump endorsed Mr. LaRose’s 2022 reelection bid for Secretary of State.”
But “Mr. LaRose was defeated in the GOP Senate primary in March for the chance to take on incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, a contest that Republican Sen.-elect Bernie Moreno ultimately won in the general election.”
LaRose did garner a Trump endorsement two years ago for his current gig. But LaRose just lost this year’s Republican primary for the Ohio’s other Senate seat. Which is a DeWine disqualifier.
And Trump didn’t endorse him for it. Trump instead endorsed primary election—and then general election—winner Bernie Moreno.
That brings us to Rep. Mike Carey: “Carey is currently serving in his first full term after winning a special election in November 2021 to represent Ohio’s 15th Congressional District,” The Daily Caller reported.
“Trump notably endorsed Carey before the district’s competitive Republican primary in August 2021 during which Carey defeated ten other candidates winning nearly 40% of the vote.”
Trump didn’t just endorse Carey once. He did it three times—again in 2022 and again in 2024:
“‘Congressman Mike Carey is a tireless advocate for the incredible people of Ohio’s 15th Congressional District,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social on March 17, 2024, in an endorsement of Carey’s reelection bid,” according to the Daily Caller, adding:
“‘A Proud Veteran, Mike is fighting to Secure the Border, Uphold the Rule of Law, Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes, Eliminate Needless Regulations, Support our Brave Military / Veterans, and Protect and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.’
“‘Mike Carey is an America First Champion—He Endorsed me on the first day of my Campaign, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement!,’ Trump added.”
Carey has been endorsed by Trump every time he’s run for Congress.
And he has repeatedly passed all of DeWine’s litmus tests to replace Vance: Carey’s won a special election. He’s dominated a highly contested primary. And he would be replacing Trump’s VP pick Vance and joining Ohio’s Senate delegation—fellow Trump-endorsee Moreno.
All of that demonstrates that Carey can and will win general elections and that he is the most Trumpian of the choices.
Trump’s domination of Ohio in the presidential and Senate elections means Carey is the absolute right choice to be Vance’s replacement.
Here’s hoping DeWine listens to his Ohio constituents.
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