Scroll To Top
Politics

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to replace JD Vance in the U.S. Senate

Jon Husted JD Vance
Taylor Hill/Getty Images; Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

(1) CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 23: Jon Husted speaks during the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit at The Andrew J. Brady Music Center on September 23, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

(2) CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 5: Republican nominee for vice president U.S. Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) address members of the media after voting on November 5, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Republican's LGBTQ+ rights record is not great.

Cwnewser
Support The Advocate
LGBTQ+ stories are more important than ever. Join us in fighting for our future. Support our journalism.

Jon Husted, Ohio’s Republican lieutenant governor, has been tapped to complete U.S. Sen. JD Vance’s term following Vance’s resignation to become vice president. On Monday, Vance will be sworn in to join President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Gov. Mike DeWine announced the appointment on Friday.

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.

According toThe Columbus Dispatch, Husted’s appointment ends weeks of speculation about who would join Sen. Bernie Moreno in representing Ohio in the Senate. Moreno took office earlier this month after defeating former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in November. Husted will serve through 2026 and must run that year to keep the seat. Per Ohio law, the winner of the November 2026 election will fill out the remainder of Vance’s term, which ends in 2028.

Husted’s appointment to the Senate raises alarm bells for LGBTQ+ advocates, given his troubling legislative history. Equality Ohio assigned Husted a D rating in 2018, citing his consistent resistance to advancing LGBTQ+ rights. Throughout his career, Husted has supported policies advocates describe as harmful and discriminatory.

In 2003, Husted voted for Republican measures in the Ohio House of Representatives banning same-sex marriage. In 2008, he opposed a bill barring gays and lesbians from adopting children, Family Equality reports. Husted was adopted as a child.

In December 2023, Husted publicly criticized DeWine’s veto of the SAFE Act, a controversial bill that would have banned transgender youth from participating in girls’ sports and restricted gender-affirming care for minors.

He also championed House Bill 8, a law signed in January, requiring schools to notify parents if their child identifies as LGBTQ+ and allowing parents to opt their children out of any content related to sexuality. The Enquirer reports that Husted defended the bill by saying, “It’s about creating the right kind of culture in our state.” Critics argue the law jeopardizes the privacy and safety of LGBTQ+ youth.

Husted’s appointment coincides with a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation sweeping through Ohio and other states. Recently, Ohio lawmakers passed a transgender school bathroom ban that takes effect in February, making it illegal for transgender students to use facilities consistent with their gender identity.

Cwnewser
The Advocates with Sonia BaghdadyOut / Advocate Magazine - Alan Cumming and Jake Shears

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

Christopher Wiggins

Christopher Wiggins is a senior national reporter for The Advocate. He has a rich career in storytelling and highlighting underrepresented voices. Growing up in a bilingual household in Germany, his German mother and U.S. Army father exposed him to diverse cultures early on, influencing his appreciation for varied perspectives and communication. His work in Washington, D.C., primarily covers the nexus of public policy, politics, law, and LGBTQ+ issues. Wiggins' reporting focuses on revealing lesser-known stories within the LGBTQ+ community. Key moments in his career include traveling with Vice President Kamala Harris and interviewing her in the West Wing about LGBTQ+ support. In addition to his national and political reporting, Wiggins represents The Advocate in the White House Press Pool and is a member of several professional journalistic organizations, including the White House Correspondents’ Association, Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, and Society of Professional Journalists. His involvement in these groups highlights his commitment to ethical journalism and excellence in the field. Follow him on X/Twitter @CWNewser (https://twitter.com/CWNewser) and Threads @CWNewserDC (https://www.threads.net/@cwnewserdc).
Christopher Wiggins is a senior national reporter for The Advocate. He has a rich career in storytelling and highlighting underrepresented voices. Growing up in a bilingual household in Germany, his German mother and U.S. Army father exposed him to diverse cultures early on, influencing his appreciation for varied perspectives and communication. His work in Washington, D.C., primarily covers the nexus of public policy, politics, law, and LGBTQ+ issues. Wiggins' reporting focuses on revealing lesser-known stories within the LGBTQ+ community. Key moments in his career include traveling with Vice President Kamala Harris and interviewing her in the West Wing about LGBTQ+ support. In addition to his national and political reporting, Wiggins represents The Advocate in the White House Press Pool and is a member of several professional journalistic organizations, including the White House Correspondents’ Association, Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, and Society of Professional Journalists. His involvement in these groups highlights his commitment to ethical journalism and excellence in the field. Follow him on X/Twitter @CWNewser (https://twitter.com/CWNewser) and Threads @CWNewserDC (https://www.threads.net/@cwnewserdc).