President-elect Donald Trump He has been the ultimate GOP mover and shaker since 2015, using his authority to influence the party beyond his political career. Now, Vice President JD Vance has some options to make his mark.
Vance, still the junior senator from Ohio, has overseen some of Trump’s cabinet and could use his connections with his colleagues to promote others. He is also in touch with Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine as he considers who to replace Vance in the Senate through 2026, when that person would have to run for a special election to fill out the remainder of the seat.
It is unlikely that Vance — or anyone — will emulate Trump’s unique ability to effect change in the party. But Vance is the country’s second-highest-ranking Republican and considered Trump’s heir apparent, and the upcoming opportunities allow the 40-year-old to see the power he wields across the GOP to promote the incoming administration’s goals, but also his own action beyond his formal role. .
“It’s pretty clear that he’s in pole position after Trump to help lead the party. So I think he’s going to use these opportunities to show the party that he’s a loyal soldier to Donald Trump, but he’s also going to be a future force to be reckoned with,” Reince said. Priebus, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, remains in contact with Trump’s team.
Vance isn’t the Sherpa for every Cabinet pick, but he escorted former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump’s top bankruptcy attorney, and Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon pick, around Capitol Hill. He is also calling his Senate colleagues about some of Trump’s Cabinet options, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Vice President-elect Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) arrives for the Senate Republican leadership election at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington.
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One source described the relationship with DeWine as semi-regular, as the two-term governor decides who to appoint to the Senate seat vacated by Vance. Ultimately, the decision is DeWine’s, and there doesn’t currently appear to be a favorite for the role, but sources said they would be surprised if that person was someone who rubbed Vance and Trump the wrong way.
“Ohio is his domain, so I think his voice will be important in the next Senate race,” said a source close to Vance. “DeWine, Trump and JD are looking to land on somebody that they’re going to be happy with.”
Certainly, Vance can only move the needle so far with Cabinet confirmations and Senate appointments, decisions concerning the Senate seeking opportunities to assert its independence, and a governor who has clashed with Trump but has been viable in the election. There will also be tougher battles to come as the next administration works to muscle through its policy priorities, and Trump will lead as a major political figure who nearly blocks the sun.
But the double talk about appointments could provide early indications of how much Republicans listen when Vance speaks, even if he’s someone’s No. 2.
“He talks a lot (to the senators),” said a source in Vance’s orbit. “They’re still his colleagues for another four weeks. So, yeah, the phones are working. He was on Capitol Hill this week. I think he wants to see people get in there so the administration can get going on day one. .
“He’s a stand-in when the president has to be in several places at the same time. He’s effective, but I don’t know that he’s more credible than the president, so he’s stepping up,” the person added.
Already, Vance has seen some of his allies promoted in the incoming administration.
James Braid, Vance’s former Senate deputy chief of staff, will serve as the White House’s formal liaison to Congress. Daniel Driscoll, another Vance ally, was selected to be Secretary of the Army. Trump chose Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager and friend of Vance, as his treasury secretary after donating millions to his presidential ticket.
And Vance has already proven his mettle, helping now-republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio win Trump’s endorsement in the Ohio Senate primary this year and then cross the finish line against political gravity-defying Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio. several cycles
Vice President-elect Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) arrives for the Senate Republican leadership election at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington.
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There have also been setbacks: Gaetz withdrew his name from the list after allegations of sexual misconduct dogged his nomination, and Hegseth is facing headwinds over allegations of sexual assault and heavy drinking, which he has denied. However, it is unclear how much outside help might improve their chances given the severity of the allegations.
“This is an opportunity to see how many of Vice President-elect Vance’s confidences end up in the cabinet, and whether it’s the cabinet secretaries, or whether the other place to take a very serious look at is the deputy secretaries,” former Steve Stivers said. Congressman who heads the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. “It’s not just the secretaries of the Cabinet, but the deputy secretaries that are important here, because they will be the people who are filling out their resume and ready to move up.”
However, there is no guarantee that Vance will be able to be the biggest mover and shaker normally possible for vice presidents in Trump’s White House.
The president-elect is well-known to others who enjoy the spotlight too brightly, and there could be other key Republicans who are expected to be power players after Trump leaves office, including Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, Trump’s pick to lead. The State Department, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is said to be in the mix for the Pentagon chief if Hegseth’s nomination passes.
“Obviously, he’s got a great opportunity here. But I think it’s one thing for people to say that JD Vance is ahead of the rest of the field today, I don’t think that’s accurate,” said one former Trump boss. administrative officer
“What’s he going to do that’s out of Trump’s shadow, that’s really him, that’s not acting as a nexus for Donald Trump? And of those things, what does he do that makes Donald Trump angry? Because he’s a guy. that doesn’t really like people from his shadow acting outside”.
But ultimately, Vance will have a higher platform than any other Republican in the country except one, and Trump will enter office as a lame duck due to constitutional term limits, possibly leaving Vance well-positioned for a potential vacancy. in the party that has been dominated by Trump for almost a decade.
“Trump got elected for a specific reason, and that reason is to carry the mantle. Now, he’s 40 years old. That guy could have been around for a while. Trump was forward-looking,” Ohio GOP strategist Mike Hartley said. “I think he will be given every opportunity to succeed.”
