WASHINGTON — Vice President-elect JD Vance will resign from the Senate on Friday as he prepares to be sworn in to his new office later this month, temporarily shrinking Republicans’ majority.

“To the people of Ohio, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for the privilege of representing you in the United States Senate,” Vance said in a statement. “When I was elected to this office, I promised to never forget where I came from, and I’ve made sure to live by that promise every single day.”

His resignation will temporarily decrease Senate Republicans’ majority to 51 votes until Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine selects someone to fill the seat. Jim Justice, West Virginia’s incoming senator, has delayed his swearing-in until his successor in the governor’s mansion is inaugurated on Monday.

DeWine’s appointment will serve until Ohio holds a special election to replace Vance in November 2026. The winner of that election will serve the final two years of Vance’s term, which ends in 2028.

Among those who have been mentioned for the Ohio slot are Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, Secretary of State Frank LaRose and former Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken. During a news conference Wednesday, DeWine was asked about potential replacements for Vance.

“I’m not ready to make an announcement yet, but the announcement will be coming soon,” he said.

Husted, appearing at the same news conference, has emerged as a presumptive front-runner for the Senate seat but could also run for governor himself. DeWine, who is prevented from seeking a third term because of term limits, will leave office in January 2027.

Both DeWine and Husted visited President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago just before Christmas. On Wednesday, Husted was noncommittal about his plans.

“We’re considering all of the options, and that’s really all I have to say,” he said.

Vance, the “Hillbilly Elegy” author who was elected to the Senate in 2022, has made several appearances on Capitol Hill since he and Trump won the November election, shepherding some of Trump’s Cabinet nominees to meetings with senators. On Monday, he was in the House chamber when Congress counted the Electoral College votes as it certified the 2024 presidential election.

Vance said the American people granted the incoming administration “an undeniable mandate to put America first, both at home and abroad.”

“Over the next four years, I will do all that I can to help President Trump enact his agenda,” he said in the statement. “Together, we will make America stronger, safer, and more prosperous than ever before.”

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