U.S. Senate

What does a U.S. Senator do?

The United States Senate is one of two chambers of Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. Government. The Senate works alongside the U.S. House of Representatives to pass bills into law, which then go to the president to be signed. The Senate is also in charge of the confirmation process for all nomination-based government positions, including ambassadors, judges and several agency directors. A senator’s responsibilities include writing and passing bills, joining and going to committee hearings to hear from experts on issues, carrying out impeachment trials when necessary and voting on nomination confirmations. They serve over a six-year term.

U.S. Rep Tim Ryan and J.D. Vance are running for the seat

TIM RYAN (D)

Tim Ryan has represented Ohio’s 13th congressional district since 2013. He previously represented Ohio’s 17th congressional district from 2003 to 2013. Ryan is a pro-abortion candidate and an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. His senate campaign has focused on his support for reproductive rights for women, investing in affordable health care, and creating opportunities for rural Ohio.

J.D. VANCE (R)

Before getting degrees from Ohio State University and Yale Law School, Vance served for four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Vance gained prominence after releasing his 2016 memoir Hillbilly Elegy, which chronicled his life growing up in Appalachia. Vance supports anti-abortion policies, the second amendment and increased border security between the U.S. and Mexico.