FOX First: Ohio’s new U.S. Senate nominee, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, says he wants to lead the country “on a more fiscally responsible path,” and brings years of experience in state government to the Senate. I’m bringing it to.
“As a fiscal conservative, I’ve always wanted to move America on a more fiscally responsible path, and I’ve always wanted to take government out of people’s lives,” he said. He spoke to FOX News Digital in his first exclusive interview after. Governor Mike DeWine will be the next senator.
Husted will take over the Senate seat vacated by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and will run in a special election in 2026 to decide who will serve out the remainder of his term.
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On Friday, Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted was appointed as the next Ohio State Senate candidate. (Getty Images)
The lieutenant governor said he plans to run in both 2026 and 2028, when Vance’s seat is up for re-election.
One issue that will surely test Husted’s arrival in the Senate as a “fiscal conservative” is President-elect Trump’s desire to raise the debt ceiling.
“Look, once I’m sworn in, I’m going to address all these issues,” he said.
“State governments need to balance their budgets,” Husted explained.
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Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) enters the Senate chamber at the Capitol on April 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“If you want to cut taxes, you have to cut spending. And that’s what I’m used to. And that’s the attitude I’ll take in the process of becoming a U.S. senator.”
He acknowledged that America’s debt and spending problems cannot be solved with a “magic wand,” but added: “We have to start somewhere.”
Husted’s appointment comes as Trump’s transition team is currently selecting key Cabinet candidates. Many of them have been meeting with senators for months ahead of confirmation hearings and committee votes.
Asked about taking office in the middle of this process, he told Fox News Digital: “I think it’s a good list of candidates.”
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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine nominated Husted as a candidate for the Senate. (Reuters)
“Remember, you know, I’m sitting in Mr. Vance’s seat. I’m an ally of the Trump administration and I’m going to support these candidates and help them get confirmed as soon as possible. ” emphasized the senator-elect.
The first confirmation vote for President Trump’s nominee is scheduled to take place on Monday night after the inauguration.
It is unclear who will challenge Husted in the 2026 special election, but the seat is one of Democrats’ top targets after former Sen. Sherrod Brown lost his seat in November. It is expected that
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Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) walks through the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in July. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
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Mr. Brown has been speculated to be a candidate for Mr. Vance’s seat, and he previously declined questions from Fox News Digital about whether he would launch a campaign for him.
Following news of Husted’s appointment on Friday, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) spokesperson David Bergstein said in a statement, “The start of the 2026 cycle leaves an already difficult map for Senate Republicans. The emergence of new weaknesses quickly determined the Ohio State special. The election adds one seat and another controversial candidate for Republicans to defend, but it also means the cycle of Senate Republicans having to defend more is beginning. ”
Julia Johnson is a political writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, where she leads coverage of the U.S. Senate. She previously served as a political reporter for the Washington Examiner.
Follow Julia’s reporting on X. @juliaajohnson_ Send your tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.
