COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is keeping an open mind about the appointment to fill his soon-to-be-vacant U.S. Senate seat, saying he would consider appointing someone with no political experience.

“I got a lot of calls yesterday,” DeWine said while speaking to reporters Thursday.

The calls, emails, and messages all come from people hoping to be appointed to the U.S. Senate.

“Look, being a United States senator is a big deal,” the governor said. “This is a big deal for the state and we need to do it right.”

DeWine wants someone who can not only win the 2026 primary and general election, but also hold onto the seat in 2028.

“This has to be someone who really wants to do the job and who we think has the ability to do it,” he said, adding that the Senate appointee could also remain in the seat for a long time. .

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Although DeWine “Guess Who?” Even though he doesn’t participate in the game. strategists suggest several current politicians, including Congressman Mike Carey, state Sen. Matt Dolan, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Attorney General Dave Yost.

“While Congresswoman Carey is honored to be mentioned in this role, her focus is first and foremost on serving the people of Ohio’s 15th district in Congress,” a spokesperson for Carey’s campaign said.

I followed up and asked if that meant he wasn’t interested in the position or if his current role was his first focus. I didn’t get an answer.

Dolan’s team had no comment.

Yost’s team told us he would deny it, adding that there are plenty of great candidates to choose from in Ohio.

“Attorney General Yost has always felt called to an executive position and is actively raising money for his 2026 run for governor,” said Yost campaign spokeswoman Amy Natoce.

Yost will likely face Husted, who appears to have been approved by DeWine.

Asked whether he would choose a candidate who would help narrow the Republican primary for the 2026 governor’s race, DeWine brought up Husted, unprompted.

“Jon Husted will be a great governor based on the six years I worked with him,” DeWine said.

Who else is at the table? Vivek Ramaswamy – speaking at the Impact Ohio Post General Conference in Columbus. He made many references to the Trump Administration in his speech, seemingly talking about how much of a change they could make for the country.

“Have you thought anything about the newly opened U.S. Senate seat?” I asked Ramaswamy.

“Trump’s decisive victory on Tuesday opens up many possibilities for changing the country,” he responded. “Obviously we’re having discussions and they’re not going to be resolved in the press.”

Ramaswamy later evaded attempts by several other reporters to persuade him whether he wanted to run for governor. He brought up his background as an entrepreneur who founded a pharmaceutical company and investment company.

“I want to think about the biggest, best possible way that we can use those skills as an outsider to hopefully transform this country,” he said. “Of course, I care about the state very much. The future of Ohio is also important to me.”

From the conversation and his speech, it seemed that his main focus was on participating in the president-elect’s administration.

“We’re having a lot of conversations with President Trump about the transition process and what happens next, at all levels,” Ramaswamy said.

Also present is Jane Timken, a member of the RNC’s Ohio Committee. Although they were internally elected as chairmen of the Ohio Republican Party, neither he nor Ramaswamy have ever held public office.

“Would you appoint someone who doesn’t have this experience?” I asked DeWine.

“I wouldn’t rule it out if it was the right person,” he replied. “I don’t think we should start saying there’s only one history of being a United States senator.”

The governor said that while he was in Congress, he served with people like former U.S. Sen. Bill Frist, a heart surgeon from Tennessee, whose first political job was that.

“Obviously that diversity contributed to the debate in the U.S. Senate,” DeWine continued. “I think it’s good to have a different background.”

DeWine’s election will likely occur before the end of the year. A resignation before the new class of senators takes office helps the new senator gain seniority over those who have been elected.

To follow WEWS Statehouse reporter Morgan Trau excitement And Facebook.