Vivek Ramaswamy emerges as a surprise prospect for Vance's old Senate seat [View all]

Source: NBC News

CLEVELAND — Vivek Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur positioned 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 in 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 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.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/vivek-ramaswamy-emerges-surprise-prospect-vances-old-senate-seat-rcna187883