Ramaswamy and DeWine Discuss Potential Ohio Senate Appointment

Two months after withdrawing from consideration for an Ohio Senate seat, Vivek Ramaswamy is now under renewed consideration for the position, according to two sources familiar with the ongoing discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity. Over the weekend, Ramaswamy met with Governor Mike DeWine—responsible for appointing a successor to Vice President-elect JD Vance—at the governor’s mansion to discuss the role, one of the sources confirmed.

Ramaswamy reenters the spotlight after a nearly two-week hiatus from social media, which followed controversial comments that drew criticism from MAGA activists. During a discussion on H-1B visas, he stated that tech companies hire foreign workers partly due to an American cultural mindset that venerated mediocrity over excellence.

The timing of Ramaswamy’s renewed interest in higher office has fueled speculation within GOP circles that he may be seeking a political reset following the backlash. Previously, he had withdrawn from Senate consideration and assumed a prominent role co-leading President-elect Donald Trump’s cost-cutting initiatives alongside Elon Musk at the Department of Government Efficiency.

Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ramaswamy is reportedly being considered for the Senate appointment even as he expresses interest in continuing his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and exploring a potential gubernatorial run, according to one source.

Billionaire Elon Musk, co-director of DOGE, along with Ramaswamy and Trump, reportedly agree on the need for a Senate advocate to support their initiatives.

Appointing Ramaswamy could clear the path for Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to succeed Governor Mike DeWine by removing a potential rival. DeWine isn’t incentivized to pick Ramaswamy for Senate, but Vivek is also the one roadblock to Husted, the source added.

Last month, DeWine accompanied Husted to Mar-a-Lago for a visit with Trump, as reported by the Ohio Capital Journal. DeWine has stated his preference for appointing someone who can win the 2026 special election to complete Vance’s term and retain the seat in 2028.

One Trump ally, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, cautioned that Ramaswamy’s comments about American culture could hinder his chances of being considered for the Senate appointment. The problem now is that he is damaged goods, the ally stated.

DeWine’s decision could come as soon as this week, he told reporters during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago last week, alongside other Republican governors.

Neither Governor DeWine nor our office has commented on any possible candidates for the pending appointment, DeWine’s press secretary, Dan Tierney, told POLITICO in a statement.

A Senate appointment would give Ramaswamy, 39, the opportunity to contribute to federal spending cuts from within Congress, while Musk continues to advocate for them externally, according to another source familiar with Ramaswamy’s thinking. It would also provide Ramaswamy with a platform to champion DOGE priorities in the face of expected opposition from Senate Democrats, given his affinity for debate.

Ramaswamy has remained unusually silent on social media after becoming embroiled in a heated debate within MAGA circles over H-1B visas earlier this year.

His support for the temporary visa program for highly skilled foreign workers drew significant backlash from prominent right-wing figures, including Steve Bannon, Laura Loomer, and Jack Posobiec. However, Trump ultimately voiced his support for the program.

Our American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long (at least since the ’90s, and likely longer). That doesn’t start in college; it starts YOUNG, Ramaswamy, the son of Indian immigrants, wrote on X. A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ … will not produce the best engineers.

Ramaswamy ran unsuccessfully for the GOP presidential nomination in 2024, but his alignment with Trump and advocacy for America First policies helped him raise his national profile and gain traction with some GOP voters.

As a presidential candidate, Ramaswamy proposed a range of policies, including cutting 1 million government jobs, ending birthright citizenship, and raising the voting age to 25.