ON FOX FIRST: Ohio’s new senatorial candidate, Lt. Gov. Jon Hustedwants to “put the country on a more fiscally responsible path” and brings his years of experience with state government to the Senate.
“Look, as a fiscal conservative, I always want to put America on a more fiscally responsible path, and I want to get government out of people’s lives,” he told Fox News Digital in an exclusive first interview after being appointed by the governor. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, will be the next senator.
Husted will take over as the new vice president by J.D. Vance He left the Senate seat and filed for a special election in 2026 to determine who will serve the remainder of his term.
DOGE CAUCUS PLANS FOR THE BIGGEST IMPACT, WITH KEY TOOLS TO ACCELERATE WASTE CUTTING
Husted was named Ohio’s next senator on Friday. (Getty Images)
That’s what the lieutenant governor said plans to run both in 2026 and again when Vance’s seat is up for re-election in 2028.
As a “fiscal conservative,” one issue that will surely test Husted upon his arrival in the Senate is President-elect Trump’s desire to raise the debt ceiling.
“Look, I will address all these issues once I take oath,” he said.
“In state government, we have to balance our budget,” Husted explained.
OHIO GOV DEWINE CHOOSE LT GOV TO FILL VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE’S VICE PRESIDENT
U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) walks into the Senate chamber on Capitol Hill 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’m going to take in the process of becoming a U.S. senator.”
He acknowledged that America’s debt and spending problem cannot be solved with a “magic wand,” but added: “You have to start somewhere.”
Husted’s appointment comes as the Trump transition team is busy finalizing key nominees for his Cabinet. Many of them have spent months meeting with senators ahead of their confirmation hearings and committee votes.
Asked if he would be in the middle of this process, he told Fox News Digital: “I think it’s a good list of nominees.”
DESANTIS ANNOUNCES CHOICE FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE SENATE AFTER RUBIO’S EXPECTED RESIGNATIONS
Gov. Mike DeWine announced Husted as his pick for Senate. (Reuters)
“Remember, you know, I’m taking Vance’s seat. I am an ally of the Trump administration, and I am going to help support those nominees and get them confirmed as quickly as possible,” the senator-designate emphasized.
The first confirmation votes for the Trump nominees are expected to take place Monday evening after the inauguration.
It’s unclear who will run against Husted in the 2026 special election, but the seat is expected to be one of Democrats’ top targets after losing former Sen. Sherrod Brown’s seat in November.
CONFIRMATION DELAYS STEPPING UP FOR TRUMP NOMININES AS PAPERWORK SLOWS DOWN IN FEDERAL OFFICES
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, walks through the U.S. Capitol in July. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
There is speculation that Brown is running for Vance’s seat, and he previously deflected questions from Fox News Digital about whether he would launch a campaign for it.
Following news of Husted’s nomination on Friday, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) spokesperson David Bergstein said in a statement: “The start of the 2026 cycle was quickly defined by new weaknesses emerging on the already challenging map of Senate Republicans. The election adds another seat and a new controversial candidate that the GOP will have to protect – and it means Senate Republicans are entering a cycle of even more defense.”
