Vivek Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur slated to help oversee President-elect Donald Trump’s effort to cut government spending, is in discussions about filling Vice President-elect JD Vance’s Senate seat in Ohio, two people briefed on the process told NBC News.
The development is a reversal for Ramaswamy, who in November said his work alongside billionaire Elon Musk at Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency would remove him from consideration for the Senate job.
But Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who will appoint an interim successor to take over Vance’s seat, chatted with Ramaswamy about the Senate vacancy during a meeting last weekend at the governor’s mansion in Columbus, according to a source familiar with the talks. The source, who was granted anonymity to share details about private conversations, also said that Trump has encouraged Ramaswamy to accept the appointment if DeWine offers it.
Trump aides did not respond to requests for comment. Spokespeople for DeWine and Ramaswamy declined to comment.
“Neither Governor DeWine nor our office has commented on any possible candidates for the pending appointment,” DeWine spokesperson Dan Tierney wrote in a text message.
The Washington Post first reported about Trump’s encouragement of Ramaswamy. Politico first reported on the meeting with DeWine.