COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has been busy — having calls and meeting with U.S. Senate hopefuls trying to take Vice President-elect JD Vance’s seat in the nation’s capital.

President-elect Donald Trump and Vance are set to take office in mid-January, but another race is heating up.

“Some people have already contacted me,” DeWine said during a press conference before the election. “I’ve already met with some people — at their request.”

DeWine has a big decision to make. Vance will need to resign from his coveted Senate seat, and the governor will appoint his replacement.

Back in July, I asked him about the qualities that he wants to an appointee.

Here’s what qualities Gov. Mike DeWine wants to see in his next U.S. Senate appointment

Here’s what qualities Gov. Mike DeWine wants to see in his next U.S. Senate appointment

“I’ll look for someone who wants to get things done every day and will stay focused on it — It’s a tough job, it’s not an easy job,” DeWine told me in July. “We also have to have someone who will be able to stay there a while.”

Building up seniority is important, and a lawmaker can become more effective the longer they stay there, he said.

Republican strategist Bob Clegg said the governor has a lot of options in front of him — but one stands out the most.

“Vivek,” Clegg said. “Same age, same background… He’s coming into politics within the last two years.”

Ramaswamy’s team has told us previously that he wasn’t able to do an interview and we didn’t hear back from him Wednesday. But he told Politico that he was interested.

“If I were asked to serve, I would strongly consider it,” he said.

DeWine could also choose someone with more in common with his own ideology and mild-mannered personality, Clegg said.

“I think he’s got somebody like Jane Timken who wouldn’t fit the typical appointment but is the kind of Republican that he feels comfortable with,” the strategist said.

Jane Timken is a Trump ally who ran for U.S. Senate in 2022 and is currently the RNC Committeewoman for Ohio. She didn’t respond to comment Wednesday, but before the election, she told me that it was too early to talk about the vacancy.

The governor said he isn’t sure about the timeline for naming a replacement yet, since Vance still needs to resign his seat. But we do know he has plenty of candidates to choose from.

“We’ve got a few people interested,” DeWine said, laughing.

Onto the names

This list is not exhaustive and only reflects the views of two dozen Ohio political insiders in different offices and professions. Individuals will likely come out of the woodwork to express interest to the governor. This is an updated list to our original from when Vance was announced as the VP candidate. Each of the individuals on this list has been mentioned to me more than five times.

Former candidates

Jane Timken

As mentioned, Timken is one of the most popular names referenced.

Not only does she have a good relationship with institutional Republicans like Rob Portman, but she also appeals to MAGA-esque conservatives.

She would also be the first female U.S. Senator in Ohio history.

Matt Dolan

Clegg had originally thought in July that state Sen. Matt Dolan seemed like an obvious pick but changed his mind this time around. Still, dozens of politicos still suggest Dolan.

The governor endorsed Dolan in the last U.S. Senate Republican primary, but he finished second to Bernie Moreno.

Dolan’s spokesperson denied to comment Wednesday, but previously told us that the senator was focused on the general election.

Frank LaRose

Sec. of State Frank LaRose was mentioned as a possibility. He ran and came in third for the 2024 Republican U.S. Senate nomination. However, Vance and Donald Trump Jr. have routinely criticized and insulted LaRose on social media. It is unclear if that could play into DeWine’s decision.

His team has previously not responded to comment.

Statewide names

Vivek Ramaswamy, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Attorney General Dave Yost

Ramaswamy, despite not having run for U.S. Senate before, was also proposed by a dozen insiders.

This could be a political play for the governor.

Ramaswamy, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Attorney General Dave Yost are all expected to run for governor in 2026.

By appointing Ramaswamy, Husted (or Yost) could have a thinner primary battle.

“If you’re Jon, what do you think you’re saying to Mike DeWine?” Clegg said, suggesting that Husted wants to clear the field. “What advice are you giving him on who to appoint?”

Husted, DeWine’s second-in-command, has been in politics for more than two decades. He has served as the secretary of state, speaker of the House and state senator.

Although not as frequently brought up as Yost was, Husted is being floated. That being said, appointing Husted could give the LG more name recognition for his gubernatorial run in 2026.

“Today is about celebrating a historic comeback by President Trump and Ohio’s new Senator, Bernie Moreno,” Husted’s spokesperson Hayley Carducci said. “I am sure Governor DeWine, President Trump and Vice President Vance will have a conversation, but today is about celebrating a great victory for Ohio and the America-First movement.”

Yost has been floated the most of the statewide officials.

Yost is also a longtime politician, starting behind the scenes and then working as Delaware County auditor and then prosecutor. Before becoming AG, he was the state auditor.

However, the AG doesn’t want the position and would decline it, his team told me.

“We’re blessed to have a number of candidates who would make a great U.S. senator alongside Senator-Elect Bernie Moreno,” Yost’s campaign spokesperson Amy Natoce said. “Attorney General Yost has always felt called to an executive office, and is actively raising money for a 2026 run for governor.”

Robert Sprague

Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague was brought up by Clegg and numerous other politicos.

Sprague has been working in politics for years. He previously was a member of the Ohio House. Prior, he served as the Findlay auditor and treasurer.

“They’re on the younger side and could do the job and do it well,” Clegg said about Sprague and Husted.

“It is certainly flattering to be a part of that conversation, particularly as the Treasurer considers how he will continue to serve his fellow Ohioans,” Sprague’s campaign spokesperson Dalton Throckmorton said.

Sitting members of Congress

Dave Joyce

Congressman Dave Joyce has been a member of Congress since 2013, representing Northeast Ohio. He is a moderate with views closely aligned with DeWine’s. He chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government.

His team did not respond to comment Wednesday, but a source familiar told me that Joyce’s name has come up.

Mike Carey

Congressman Mike Carey was mentioned repeatedly. Carey has been a member of Congress since 2021, representing parts of Columbus and central Ohio. He is known as being slightly more conservative than Joyce. He is the chairman of the House Communications Standards Commission.

“I think of all the congressmen, I think Mike would be the obvious one,” Clegg said.

He didn’t respond to comment.

DeWine’s pick

The choice will likely come before the end of the year. A resignation before the new class of senators takes office helps a new senator get seniority over the elected ones.

“The timeline will be dictated by when Vice President-elect Vance decides to make his resignation effective,” DeWine’s spokesperson Dan Tierney told me Wednesday.

During the press conference before the election, DeWine said the appointment announcement could even come within a few days.

Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook.

Election Day is over, but the implications of Tuesday’s results will play out for years to come.

Republicans had a big day statewide and nationally, while on the local level Franklin County Democrats are celebrating. Here’s what we’re following in the election’s wake:

Donald Trump defeats VP Kamala Harris in Ohio, the biggest win for president in 40 years 

Ohio voters picked former President Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris in a double-digit victory – a result that underscored Ohio’s shift from a presidential bellwether to a solid Republican state. 

Trump easily won Ohio in 2016 and 2020, so his victory in 2024 is not surprising. But the margin was impressive.    

Trump’s 11-point lead was the largest for a presidential candidate in Ohio in 40 years. 

More election news: Ohio election results: Who won local, statewide, presidential elections?

Now that JD Vance will be VP, what happens to his Ohio Senate seat?  

The next vice president of the United States will be a senator from Ohio. 

Former president Donald Trump and Sen. JD Vance defeated Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in the presidential election called Wednesday morning by the Associated Press. Trump and Vance will be inaugurated on Jan. 20, just two years after Vance took the oath of office for his first Senate term. 

Now, Ohio has a Senate seat to fill (again).  

Here’s what happens next.  

Here’s why Ohio Issue 1, a proposal to end gerrymandering, failed 

Ohio voters resoundingly rejected Issue 1, a proposal to replace elected officials with a citizen commission to draw congressional and state legislative districts. 

Republicans overcame a massive fundraising deficit to convince Ohioans that Issue 1 was too confusing and too flawed to pass. The measure failed as Republicans swept statewide races in Ohio, including victories for former President Donald Trump and Senate challenger Bernie Moreno. 

But Issue 1 backers say Ohio voters were duped by GOP-crafted ballot language and deceptive campaigning against their measure. 

Read more here.   

Republican Bernie Moreno unseats Sherrod Brown in key Ohio Senate race. How did he do it? 

Sen. Sherrod Brown repeated the same refrain as he navigated the toughest campaign of his political career: “It’s always been Ohio.” 

On Tuesday, it was Ohio that helped Republicans win control of the U.S. Senate by ousting Brown from office and electing Republican businessman Bernie Moreno 

Here are four takeaways from Moreno’s win over Brown. 

Springfield, Ohio was flung into the spotlight during the election because of immigration. How did they vote?  

Two months ago, Springfield, Ohio, was in the national political spotlight after now President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance spread baseless rumors that Haitian immigrants in the community were eating pets and wildlife. 

Local officials were quick to refute the rumors and show their support for the city’s small immigrant community. 

Here’s how Clark County residents, including the city of Springfield, voted in Tuesday’s election. 

The Ohio Supreme Court now has a 6-1 Republican majority. What will that mean for abortion rights?  

Republicans expanded their control of Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday by sweeping three races, giving the GOP six of seven seats beginning in January. 

The GOP wins come as justices will decide cases involving the abortion rights amendment that voters approved last year. Ohio Right to Life endorsed the three Republicans for supreme court. 

Here’s what to know.  

Incumbents thrive in Ohio Congressional races

All of Ohio’s 15 incumbents will apparently remain in Congress based on unofficial election results from The Associated Press.

In Ohio’s 9th District, incumbent Democrat Marcy Kaptur, of Toledo, was in a see-saw race with Republican challenger Derek Merrin. But unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State showed that Kaptur captured a narrow lead of 1,193 votes with 100% of the votes counted as of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Here’s a bigger look at the future of the delegation.

How the Ohio Statehouse will look different after Election Day

The Ohio Statehouse remained in Republican hands when final results rolled in Wednesday morning, but a few Democratic hopefuls upped their party’s numbers and changed the power plays of the Legislature, if only slightly.

Democrats gained two seats in the state Senate, and needed to flip two seats to shift the state House away from the two-thirds GOP supermajority that allows them certain privileges without having to consider the opposing party. They did, thanks in part to the most recent iteration of the ever messy Ohio redistricting saga creating a few new toss-up districts across the Buckeye State, some of which are in central Ohio.

Most of the flipped seats occurred in central Ohio. Here’s what to know about how things shifted.

What happened on Election Day in Columbus?

The Dispatch also has plenty of coverage of local races, issues and their implications, with more to come. Get caught up with these highlights:

LinkUS wins: Sales tax set to go up in central Ohio after voters give green light to COTA levy

Columbus City Council: Shayla Favor won prosecutor, here’s the plan for her Columbus City Council seat

Library levies Southwest Public Libraries only one of seven central Ohio libraries to have levy rejected

Delaware County election results: Republican incumbents cruise to reelection in Delaware County

COLUMBUS, Ohio — As summer recently gave way to fall, hundreds of thousands of Ohio students settled into their high school and college routines. These students now face crucial job and career decisions that will not only shape their futures, but the future of Ohio’s workforce.

Their choices could help remedy one of the biggest issues facing Ohio hospitals – the need for more workers at all levels across a variety of fields. Today, there are nearly 32,000 nursing jobs posted on OhioMeansJobs.com – and that’s just one position of need.

Local hospitals offer significant employment opportunities: Six of Ohio’s largest 12 employers are hospitals or health systems, and two of them – Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals – are right here in Cleveland. Also in Cleveland is the MetroHealth System, the 36th largest employer in Ohio. Across the state, hospitals employ more than 430,000 Ohioans.

Experts predict the need for health care workers to snowball. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a national shortage of 86,000 physicians by 2036. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis forecasts that by 2030, 42 states will experience nursing shortages.

What’s driving the shortages? Chief factors include an aging population (10,000 Americans turn 65 every day), an aging (and retiring) health care workforce and the workforce dynamics challenging most sectors of the economy.

The reasons to begin a career in health care are plentiful: potential for greater job stability; the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your community; and, in many cases, the chance to literally save lives. Competitive compensation, benefits, flexible work options, diverse career paths and growth opportunities are other reasons to consider careers in hospitals.

Doctors and nurses aren’t the only hospital job opportunities. Roles like respiratory therapy, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and clinical laboratory technologists are among the most in-demand health care jobs in 2024.

In fact, many potential positions at hospitals don’t require a four-year degree or clinical expertise. Hospitals need information technology professionals, billing specialists, service workers and many other team members without a health care background. The ever-growing implementation of artificial intelligence, robotic technology and digital health is allowing hospitals to provide care more effectively and efficiently. Expanding service delivery in telemedicine, outpatient and at-home health services, as well as behavioral and preventative health care services, only provides more career options.

Local hospitals offer innovative job solutions to young people: Fortunately, Ohio hospitals – and the three Cleveland systems – are doing their part to provide young people an early pipeline and earn-while-you-learn opportunities.

The Cleveland Clinic recently secured a $13 million grant to fund the expansion of the Howley Aspire Pathways program, designed to give students medical career experience and diversify the health care workforce. University Hospitals recently expanded its UH Future Nurse Academy to provide increased opportunity for high school students to be exposed to nursing careers. In May, the MetroHealth System School Health Program invited local students to help develop projects that addressed food insecurity in the community.

Cleveland’s health systems have also collaborated to develop workforce initiatives, including the Workforce Connect Healthcare Sector partnership, which introduced a new training program aimed at connecting Cuyahoga County residents with job opportunities.

Ohio hospitals are the backbone of their communities, providing around-the-clock care. As students consider their future career paths, now is a great time to consider the rewarding, essential and opportunity-rich careers that Ohio hospitals offer.

The Ohio Hospital Association encourages students interested in a health care career to explore their options by getting involved in local programs, talking to school counselors or reaching out to hospitals in their area. Visit OHA’s member hospital directory to find Ohio hospitals near you.

Mike Abrams is president and CEO of the Ohio Hospital Association.

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