In a surprising turn of events, President-elect Donald Trump is said to be urging Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate, to consider stepping into the Ohio Senate seat left vacant by JD Vance.
Vance, who was elected to the Senate in 2022, is set to be sworn in as Vice President next week. This development has sparked a process that requires Republican Governor Mike DeWine to appoint an interim replacement until a special election can be held in 2026.
According to The Post Millennial, Trump has reportedly thrown his support behind Ramaswamy, a Cincinnati native, for the role if appointed by DeWine. This information comes from two individuals privy to the matter, who revealed that Trump has directly encouraged Ramaswamy to accept the appointment if offered. Interestingly, one of these sources also disclosed that Elon Musk, who is set to collaborate with Ramaswamy on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is also in favor of the idea.
Governor DeWine, who holds the ultimate decision on who will fill the vacant seat, visited Mar-a-Lago last week to meet with Trump. "Ill have an announcement probably next week," DeWine informed reporters last Thursday, leaving the public in anticipation.
Ramaswamy, who had previously withdrawn his name from consideration for the Senate seat in November, is still viewed as a strong contender. This decision was made when he was appointed to lead the newly formed DOGE under Trumps administration. Despite his initial plans to concentrate on his role at DOGE and possibly run for Ohio governor in 2026, some allies believe a Senate position could enhance his influence.
The Senate would provide Ramaswamy with a platform to advocate for legislative priorities, including spending cuts, which are in line with the objectives of DOGE. I think its a great idea, and he should do it, said Avik Roy, founder of the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity. In terms of the DOGE component, you want someone quarterbacking the legislative and statutory components in the Senate, and for Vivek, I think he and the country will benefit greatly from him serving in elected office.
While Ramaswamy is a strong contender, other names under consideration include Jon Husted, Ohios lieutenant governor, and Jane Timken, a former state party chair who ran unsuccessfully for Senate in 2022. The final decision, however, rests with Governor DeWine, leaving Ohio and the nation waiting in anticipation.
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