Cleveland Two people familiar on the process told NBC News that Vivek Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur who would assist in managing President-elect Donald Trump’s attempt to reduce government spending, is in talks to fill Vice President-elect JD Vance’s Senate seat in Ohio.
This is a reversal for Ramaswamy, who stated in November that he would not be considered for the Senate position because of his collaboration with billionaire Elon Musk at Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency.
However, a source involved with the discussions claims that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who will name a temporary replacement to fill Vance’s seat, spoke with Ramaswamy about the Senate vacancy last weekend at the governor’s home in Columbus. Trump has urged Ramaswamy to accept the position if DeWine offers it, according to the person, who was given anonymity to discuss specifics of private discussions.
Requests for comments from Trump aides were not answered. DeWine and Ramaswamy’s spokespeople chose not to comment.
DeWine spokeswoman Dan Tierney texted, “Our office and Governor DeWine have not commented on any potential candidates for the pending appointment.”
The Washington Post was the first to report about Trump’s support for Ramaswamy. Politico covered the meeting with DeWine first.
Ramaswamy has been a recurring element in DeWine’s discussions over who should succeed Vance, who resigned last week before being sworn in as vice president, even though he first removed himself from the Senate race.
It is widely assumed that Ramaswamy, a native of Cincinnati who currently resides in the Columbus area, would like to run for governor next year in lieu of term-limited DeWine. But so is Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, DeWine’s favored successor.
DeWine’s legacy might be damaged by a brutal GOP contest that included Husted, Ramaswamy, and others. DeWine has contemplated assigning Husted to the Senate seat in order to further secure his close ally’s political future, given there has been no indication of Ramaswamy’s intentions for 2026. To fulfill the final two years of Vance’s term, anyone DeWine chooses would need to win a special election in 2026.
Husted, who has been considered the front-runner for the position for the past two weeks, has been assiduously preparing his campaign for governor and has rejected previous offers to run for the Senate. He is hesitant to accept the Senate nomination, according to Ohio Republicans involved in the process.
DeWine has stated that he will most likely make his decision public this week. Former state Rep. Jay Edwards and former state GOP chair Jane Timken are also potential candidates.
Ramaswamy’s willingness to depart Trump’s government efficiency team, or DOGE, before its job has even begun is unclear, as is whether or not Trump would want him to resign. However, some of Ramaswamy’s recent posts on Musk’s social media platform, X, have caused a divide within the MAGA movement led by Trump.
Ramaswamy lambasted an American culture that he claimed valued mediocrity over greatness as he entered a discussion over H-1B temporary worker visas, a carve-out for highly trained workers who some on the political right claim are stealing American jobs.
According to a person close to Trump, it was not surprising that he may be interested in Ramaswamy winning the Senate seat.
Referring to Trump by his initials, the insider stated, “DJT is tired of him.” desires a new role for him.