VP-Elect Vance Undergoes Minor Surgery After Senate Swearing-In

Vice President-elect JD Vance underwent a minor surgical procedure following his participation in a Senate swearing-in ceremony on Friday, marking the start of the new Congress in Washington, D.C.

According to Fox News, the surgery had been scheduled in advance. Officials close to the VP-elect described the procedure as "planned."

“The Vice President-elect is having long-planned, minor sinus surgery and will be back at work tomorrow,” confirmed William Martin, Vance’s spokesperson, to the news outlet.

Prior to the operation, Vance was present on Capitol Hill as Vice President Kamala Harris administered the oath of office to incoming senators.

As discussions around Vance's successor in the U.S. Senate intensify, one top contender recently visited President-elect Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, signaling that a decision may be forthcoming.

Under Ohio law, Republican Governor Mike DeWine is tasked with appointing Vance’s replacement, who will serve until a special election in 2026. That election will determine who finishes Vance’s current term, which runs through 2028. The eventual winner of the special election would need to run again in 2028 to secure a full six-year term.

Governor DeWine is expected to announce his selection in the coming weeks, with Congress convening on January 3.

Earlier this week, DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted, a leading contender for the appointment, visited Trump’s Palm Beach residence, News 5 Cleveland reported.

Dan Tierney, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, emphasized that DeWine is looking for a candidate who is both “qualified” and capable of earning the trust of Ohio voters in future elections.

In addition to Husted, DeWine is reportedly considering Mehek Cooke, a Republican attorney and key ally of Trump during the 2024 campaign. Cooke, a prominent fundraiser in Ohio, has been a vocal supporter of the former president, frequently defending him on various media platforms against politically motivated charges.

Businessman and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy was initially seen as a strong contender for the Senate seat. However, his recent appointment to a presidential task force dedicated to reducing government waste—where he will collaborate with Elon Musk, the owner of X—has shifted his immediate focus. While Ramaswamy remains interested in a potential gubernatorial bid, his new role appears to take him out of contention for the Senate appointment.

Other potential candidates include State Senator Matt Dolan, a close ally of DeWine, who previously competed unsuccessfully in primaries against Vance and Senator-elect Bernie Moreno.

Former Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who also vied against Moreno in the primary, is another possibility. LaRose has emphasized his current commitment to overseeing elections in Ohio.

“I’m always ready to answer the call of duty, but I’m also focused right now on doing the job Ohioans hired me to do,” LaRose told Fox News. “We delivered another secure, accurate, and accessible election for Ohio voters, and that work continues. We need to certify the results on an expedited timeline to accommodate the electoral college meeting next month.”

LaRose detailed ongoing priorities, including processing absentee ballots, resolving provisional ballot issues, and preparing for a potential recount in one congressional race.

“We’re also continuing to press the Biden administration to provide federal citizenship records to ensure the accuracy of Ohio’s voter rolls,” he added.

Reflecting on the upcoming appointment, LaRose expressed confidence in DeWine’s decision-making: “Governor DeWine has an important decision to make, and I’m confident he’ll do what’s in the best interest of Ohio.”