JUST IN: Trump’s Pick For Vacant Senate Seat Is Revealed

A high-stakes decision looms in Ohio as political insiders speculate on who will fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by JD Vance’s move to the Trump administration. Among the names circulating is biotech entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who is reportedly being encouraged by President-elect Donald Trump to step into the role.

Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential hopeful has drawn Trump’s attention, who is said to be quietly encouraging him to take on the role. While the final decision rests with Governor Mike DeWine, Trump’s endorsement could carry substantial influence in a state where his political clout remains unparalleled.

Two sources familiar with the situation, who spoke to The Washington Post and requested anonymity to discuss private matters, revealed that Trump has suggested to Ramaswamy that he should consider taking the vacant Senate seat in Ohio if it is offered to him. This comes on the heels of Ramaswamy’s high-profile appointment to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Elon Musk, a role he has yet to assume officially.

In November, Ramaswamy publicly declined consideration for the Senate seat after Trump appointed him to co-lead DOGE. However, he has recently resurfaced as a top candidate for the Senate position. According to The Post, he is currently engaged in advanced talks with GOP leaders about the role. Ramaswamy was born and raised in Cincinnati and comes from an immigrant family with roots in Kerala, India. His background in Ohio has shaped much of his personal and professional life, contributing to his sense of identity and community ties within the state.

Vivek Ramaswamy speaks at a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump at Mullett Arena on October 24, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona.

Although the final decision lies with DeWine, Trump has personally urged Ramaswamy to accept the appointment if it is extended to him, according to the sources. The appeal was made in a last-minute message sent within the past week. However, Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted has also emerged as a candidate. Last month, both DeWine and Husted visited Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump.

“I continue to interview people in regard to their interest in going to the United States Senate,” DeWine said to reporters in December. “This has to be someone who really wants to do the job and do the work and who we think has the ability to do it.”

He added that the appointee should be capable of not only winning the primary and general elections in 2026 but also retaining the seat in 2028, ensuring longevity in their role. “You particularly make a difference when the numbers are going to be, I guess, 53-47,” DeWine said about the role last month. “Every vote matters.”

In November, Dan Tierney, a spokesperson for the Governor, informed Fox News that DeWine is seeking a “workhorse” for the Senate seat, someone “qualified and ready to earn the trust of Ohio voters for another term.”