JD Vance was hospitalized for minor, previously scheduled sinus surgery after attending the Senate swearing-in ceremony on Friday.
Vance was there to support newly elected Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno, just weeks before he replaces Kamala Harris after Donald Trump defeated her in November’s presidential election.
However, it was reported that Vance was hospitalized after the swearing-in ceremony, which Harris presided over.
A spokesperson for Vance confirmed to Fox News that this was not an emergency and that it was an operation the vice president-elect had had on the books for some time.
“(Vance) is undergoing long-planned minor sinus surgery and will be back at work tomorrow,” William Martin said.
He underwent the procedure at George Washington University Hospital, about three miles from the Capitol.
The Ohio senator will remain in that office until the inauguration, when he will assume the vice presidency and the seat will be left to an appointment by Republican Governor Mike DeWine.
“I was proud to stand with @berniemoreno and @DaveMcCormickPA as they were sworn into the U.S. Senate. Congratulations to them and to all our new senators!” Vance wrote on social media afterward.
JD Vance was hospitalized for minor, previously scheduled sinus surgery after attending the Senate swearing-in ceremony on Friday
Vance was there to support newly elected Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, just weeks before he replaces Kamala Harris after Donald Trump defeated her in November’s presidential election
Vance has not posted to his X account since then and has not said anything other than his spokesperson’s statement about the operation.
The Ohio senator was all smiles as he stood just feet away from Harris as she took the oath of office before Moreno and other senators, including renouncing the Pledge of Allegiance.
Neither Harris nor Vance appeared to engage in conversation, but both continued to smile and shake hands with the newly sworn-in senators before another group was led in to take the oath.
Attention will soon turn to the inauguration and who DeWine will appoint to replace Vance.
It appears several top candidates have emerged, as well as a candidate vying for the coveted spot in the Senate.
Vance will have to resign from the Senate before taking his oath of office as vice president on January 20, 2025.
It’s unclear whether he has thought about who he wants to take over for the remainder of his six-year term in Congress.
But Ohio insiders, including sources familiar with the governor’s thinking, spoke to DailyMail.com, who is considering filling Vance’s seat in the 119th Congress.
He underwent the procedure at George Washington University Hospital, about three miles from the Capitol
Congressman Mike Carey, former Ohio GOP Chair Jane Timken, Ohio State Rep. Jay Edwards, Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Secretary of State Frank LaRose are considered the favorites.
In July 2023, La Rose announced his bid for the U.S. Senate to challenge Democratic incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown.
Senator-elect Bernie Moreno ultimately won the primaries and went on to defeat Brown and help Republicans regain control of the upper chamber of Congress.
LaRose endorsed Trump in his 2024 re-election bid in July. He also fired his press secretary Rob Nichols over his social media posts critical of Trump.
Whoever DeWine decides to fill the seat will hold that office until the next regular state election, after which a special election will be held. The person chosen will complete Vance’s term, which ends in 2028.