COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Fledgling U.S. Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio launched a bid to retain his seat Wednesday with the backing of President Donald Trump.
The former Republican lieutenant governor has held office for just 78 days, since filling the Senate seat vacated by Vice President JD Vance. Husted is under time pressure to start a campaign because his appointment to the seat expires next year. The winner of a fall 2026 special election will serve the remainder of Vance's unexpired term, which runs through 2028.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Husted is doing “an incredible job” as a senator and will have the president's “Total Endorsement.”
“Jon is a wonderful man, has ALWAYS delivered for Ohio, and will continue doing so in the U.S. Senate,” Trump wrote.
In a statement announcing the endorsement, Husted called Trump's backing an honor and pledged to “work diligently with him and his team to secure our borders, champion innovation, restore prosperity to the heartland, and fight for common sense Ohio values.”
Ohio Democrats have not yet advanced a candidate for the coveted seat, though former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown — who lost a reelection bid — has said he is weighing his political future.
FILE - Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, speaks during the confirmation hearing of Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, President Donald Trump's choice to be Director of the National Institutes of Health, before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, at Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, file)
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard missed Monday night's 4-1 loss to Edmonton because of an illness.
The Blackhawks have been hit hard by a stomach bug going around their locker room. While Bedard was scratched against the Oilers, goaltender Spencer Knight and defenseman Louis Crevier returned to the lineup. Backup goaltender Arvid Soderblom also was available.
Teuvo Teravainen departed in the first period because of an upper-body injury. The Blackhawks are off on Tuesday, and coach Jeff Blashill said he would have an update on the forward on Wednesday.
“He could be OK. I just don’t know yet for sure. He couldn’t finish the game,” Blashill said. “We’ll go under evaluation here tomorrow and it might be something where he’s OK, might not be."
Bedard has 19 goals and a team-high 27 assists in 33 games. The 20-year-old center missed 12 games with a right shoulder injury before returning on Friday night against Washington. He had two assists in Saturday night's 3-0 victory at Nashville.
The Blackhawks also played without center Frank Nazar, who has missed 11 straight games after he was hit in the face by a puck during a 6-4 loss at Ottawa on Dec. 20.
“We’d prefer any of our great players in the lineup. But the reality is, when you don’t have them, you just come together,” captain Nick Foligno said. “It’s a game where you tighten up and do it for them, or do it for each other, or you play the right way. Today, we just allowed them to get their game right away. We didn’t make it hard on them.”
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Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard warms up before an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
