Vice President Vance kicked off his Tuesday by voting in Ohio's primary elections before jetting to Iowa to bolster a vulnerable House Republican, signaling the administration's focus on down-ballot races ahead of the midterms.
Accompanied by his son, Vivek, Vance cast his ballot at St. Anthony of Padua Maronite Catholic Church in Cincinnati. In a lighthearted moment captured by Fox News, the vice president held up his ballot and joked, “I have to hide it from the reporters, I don’t want them to know who I voted for.”
After voting, Vance revealed that his son participated in a kids' version of the election, choosing between the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. “He voted for the Easter Bunny over the Tooth Fairy,” Vance said, adding that it was a “risky choice because he’s got a loose tooth.” He thanked election workers before departing.
Later on the social platform X, Vance disclosed his actual votes: He backed Vivek Ramaswamy in the GOP gubernatorial primary—Ramaswamy is the heavy favorite to win the nomination and will face presumptive Democratic nominee Amy Acton in November. Vance also voted for Republicans Jay Edwards for state treasurer and Eric Conroy in the First Congressional District primary. The winner of that House race will take on either incumbent Rep. Greg Landsman or Damon Lynch IV, who are competing in the Democratic primary. “I hope you’ll do the same, Ohio!” Vance wrote.
Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio), appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine to fill Vance's Senate seat after the vice president took office last year, is running in a special election to serve out the remainder of Vance’s term through January 2029. When asked about Husted, Vance told reporters his successor is “going to do a great job” and has been “good for Ohio,” according to the Associated Press.
After voting, Vance traveled to Iowa to campaign alongside Rep. Zach Nunn, who represents the state's 3rd Congressional District. Nunn faces a tough reelection fight against state Sen. Sarah Trone-Garriot, the presumptive Democratic nominee. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as a “Toss Up,” making it one of only 16 House seats with that distinction. Vance is scheduled to speak at a manufacturing facility in Des Moines, highlighting the stakes as Iowa prepares for the 2028 caucuses, which will mark the first votes in the next Republican presidential primary.
Vance’s swing through Iowa underscores the GOP’s effort to hold competitive seats amid a challenging political environment. The race in Iowa’s 3rd District is being closely watched as a bellwether for the national mood, with both parties pouring resources into the contest.
