CLEVELAND — Vivek Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur who oversaw President-elect Donald Trump’s government spending cuts, is in discussions to fill Ohio Vice President-elect JD J.D. Vance’s Senate seat.

The development is a reversal for Ramaswamy, who said in November that his partnership with billionaire Elon Musk at the Trump Administration's Department of Efficiency would keep him from Consider serving as a senator.

But Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who is about to appoint an interim successor to Vance's seat, discussed the Senate vacancy with Ramaswamy at a meeting at the governor's mansion in Columbus over the weekend, according to a person familiar with the matter. problem. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also said Trump encouraged Ramaswamy to accept the appointment if DeWine offered it.

Trump aides did not respond to requests for comment. Spokespeople for DeWine and Ramaswamy declined to comment.

"Neither Governor DeWine nor our office are commenting on any possible candidates for pending appointments," DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney wrote in a text message.

The Washington Post first reported Trump's encouragement to Ramaswamy. Politico first reported the meeting with DeWine.

Although Ramaswamy initially dropped out of the Senate race, he has been an ongoing factor in DeWine's consideration of who should succeed Vance. Vance resigned last week before being sworn in as vice president.

Ramaswamy, a Cincinnati native who now lives in the Columbus area, is widely believed to be interested in succeeding the term-limited DeWine as governor next year. But so does DeWine’s preferred successor, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted.

DeWine's legacy could be undermined by heavy defeats by Husted, Ramaswamy and others in the Republican primary. In the absence of any clear signals about Ramaswamy's intentions in 2026, DeWine considered appointing close ally Husted to fill the Senate vacancy to better solidify his political future. Whoever DeWine chooses will have to win a special election in 2026 to serve out the remaining two years of Vance's term.

But Husted, who has been considered a leading candidate for the appointment for two weeks, has rejected past offers to run for Senate and has been actively preparing to run for governor. Ohio Republicans involved in the process said he had reservations about accepting the Senate appointment.

DeWine said he plans to announce his selection "probably" this week. Other possibilities include former state Republican Party Chair Jane Timken and former state Rep. Jay Edwards.

It's unclear why Ramaswamy was willing to leave Trump's DOGE team before work began, or whether or why Trump was eager for him to leave. But some of Ramaswamy's recent posts on Musk's social media site, X, have caused a rift in Trump's MAGA movement.

Ramaswamy has become embroiled in a debate over H-1B temporary worker visas, an exception for high-skilled workers that some on the political right say are taking jobs away from Americans. Ramaswamy criticized an American culture that "celebrates mediocrity over excellence."

A source who has spoken to Trump said it was not surprising that Trump might be enthusiastic about the idea of ​​Ramaswamy taking the Senate seat.

“DJT is tired of him,” the source said, referring to Trump’s initials. "Hopefully he plays a new role."