Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy ended speculation he could be in contention for Vice President-elect J.D. Vance’s soon-to-be-vacant Ohio Senate seat on Tuesday night.
Ramaswamy was appointed to a job in the Trump administration’s Department of Governmental Efficiency along with Elon Musk and made a point to take himself out of contention for the seat Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) will be filling early next year.
And yes, this means I’m withdrawing myself from consideration for the pending Senate appointment in Ohio,” Ramaswamy posted on X. “Whoever Governor DeWine appoints to JD’s seat has some big shoes to fill. I will help them however I can.”
Ramaswamy drew speculation for the seat because of his friendship with Vance, though he has little experience in government, and despite the fact that Vance will have little control over who takes his seat.
The former presidential candidate often fanned the flames of conversation surrounding him and the high-level congressional spot.
“To be frank, I would strongly consider it if I were asked to serve,” Ramaswamy told NBC News in July. He added, “I have not discussed this with Gov. DeWine, but, you know, I look forward to evaluating what the future holds in store. I would strongly consider it if asked.”
The Hill reported that Jane Timken, the former chairwoman of the state GOP and 2022 Ohio Senate candidate, is the front-runner for the role.
DeWine said the process to appoint someone to the Senate seat is just beginning.
“A lot of people are calling,” DeWine told reporters last week. “We’re just going through the process of starting to think about this and see who would be the best person.”
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“It has to be someone who will serve well in the Senate. I think I have a pretty good idea of what it takes,” DeWine said, saying that he’s looking for someone who will focus on both Ohio and national issues, show strong work ethic, and wants to “get things done.” “These are qualifications I think that are very important.”
There’s no direct evidence to suggest Ramaswamy was ever on DeWine’s radar for the spot.