Rumored contender to fill JD Vance's Senate seat visits Mar-a-Lago

With the start of the Trump administration less than a month away, critical decisions about several impending legislative vacancies are now the subject of intense speculation.

Among the most closely watched political dramas at the moment is that of who will take over the Senate seat from Ohio, soon to be left empty by Vice President-elect JD Vance, with a top candidate for the role having just traveled to Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago, as Fox News reports.

Replacement deliberations heat up

According to Ohio law, Gov. Mike DeWine is tasked with choosing a Republican to assume Vance's Senate seat until a special election can be held in November 2026.

That election, in turn, will determine who will fulfill the remainder of Vance's current term, which is slated to end in 2028.

Sources have indicated that DeWine's final choice is set to be announced in the next few days, given that Congress is poised to begin its new session on Jan. 3.

To that end, it would appear, DeWine traveled recently visited Trump's Mar-a-Lago transition command center with Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, thought by many to be a frontrunner for the spot.

Though DeWine declined immediate comment when asked by Fox News Digital to weigh in on the matter, his spokesperson previously asserted that the governor would seek a “workhorse” who would be ready and willing to run in 2028 to retain the seat after completing the remaining years of Vance's term.

Senate replacement stakes remain high

Another impending Senate vacancy, namely that likely to be created by the confirmation of Florida Republican Marco Rubio to serve as secretary of State, has also garnered a great deal of attention in recent weeks.

Though Lara Trump, who most recently served as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, was seen by many as a top contender to get the nod from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the picture changed significantly over the weekend.

Writing on X, Lara Trump withdrew her name from contention for the soon-to-be-open seat, as NBC News reported.

Though she had already received support from prominent GOP names such as Sens. Rick Scott and Lindsey Graham, Mrs. Trump declared, “After an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many, I have decided to remove my name from consideration for the United States Senate.”

She added, “I could not have been more honored to serve as RNC co-chair during the most high-stakes election of our lifetime, and I'm truly humbled by the unbelievable support shown to me by the people of our country, and here in the great state of Florida,” and she also wished DeSantis “the best of luck with this appointment.”