This article first appeared on Ohio Capital Journal.

Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance will become the next vice president, thus creating a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. 

Former President Donald Trump and his running mate Vance defeated Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in the presidential election that was called Wednesday morning by the Associated Press. Vance will have to resign from his Senate seat before being sworn in as vice president during Inauguration Day on Jan. 20. 

It is now up to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to pick a Republican to fill Vance’s open Senate seat until a special election is held in 2026. Whoever DeWine appoints must run in the 2026 special election if they want to keep their seat. 

Vance is currently serving his first term in the U.S. Senate after being elected over Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan in 2022. Whoever wins the 2026 special election will serve the remainder of Vance’s term, which expires in 2028. 

RESULTS is an organization where everyday people advocate for a world free of poverty and oppression.  We have campaigns that address domestic poverty issues and global crises.  In the US, we are advocating for making the Expanded Child Tax Credit permanent and a Renters Tax Credit.  Globally, we support ending tuberculosis, promoting maternal and child health and nutrition, and global education. RESULTS has proven to us that we can make a difference! RESULTS has taught us how to meet with and influence our members of Congress, get published, and reach out to our community to bring them into action. Last year, despite the unprecedented challenges we all faced, we made excellent progress on issues we care about. Advocacy keeps us hopeful!   2024 is ripe with opportunities to make a difference on the changes we need in our community, and the world, to end poverty. If you’re tired of feeling helpless check out the RESULTS group in Central Ohio.  Get connected to people who are learning together and taking action that makes a difference. Contact Ginnie Vogts at gvogts43@gmail.com for more information.  

I was asked by a friend and Progressive Democrat of America (PDA) Fellow Traveler to share my thoughts on how PDA will respond to yestersday's election results.  Here's what I wrote:

Tuesday’s election results were dire, but now is not the time for progressives to retreat. American society will be best served by a progressive movement that plays strong defense and offense.

Progressives must continue to be vigilant in defending democracy, the rule of law, and the constitutional republic. In order to be most effective on these matters, we should maintain our recent alliance with liberals and conservatives of conscience.

We must also lead in protecting the environment and vulnerable communities, both at home and abroad.  

Solidarity with organized labor will be a priority during Trump 2.0.  Unions will face a hostile National Labor Relations Board.  Vigilance will be required to preserve labor’s recent gains. When there’s a strike or an organizing drive, progressives must have a presence on the picket line, calling Trump’s bluff, exposing his contempt for labor.