Trump encourages biotech magnate to consider Ohio Senate seat

US President-elect Donald Trump has personally urged biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to accept Ohio’s vacant Senate seat should the position be offered to him.

Sources familiar with the matter, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that Trump has reached out to Ramaswamy in recent days, encouraging him to step into the role should Ohio Governor Mike DeWine extend the appointment, Caliber.Az reports, citing The Washington Post.

The Ohio Senate seat was vacated by JD Vance, who officially resigned on January 10 to serve as Trump’s vice president. Under Ohio law, Governor DeWine, a Republican, will appoint a replacement for the next two years before a special election on November 3, 2026, determines who will hold the seat through 2029.

Ramaswamy, who previously withdrew his name from consideration for the position in November after Trump appointed him to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) panel, has recently reemerged as a top contender for the role. Despite having initially planned to run for Ohio governor in 2026, after completing his DOGE duties by July 4, 2026, Ramaswamy is now in advanced discussions with GOP leaders about filling the vacant Senate seat.

Trump’s push for Ramaswamy to take the appointment comes amid ongoing tensions within his broader coalition. In late December, Ramaswamy and DOGE panel partner Elon Musk faced backlash from some Trump supporters over their defence of a visa program for skilled immigrants. The program, which Trump ultimately sided with, has been a point of contention, especially with MAGA allies who oppose foreign workers entering the US to fill high-tech jobs.

Ramaswamy, a Cincinnati native, ran for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination but dropped out in January, endorsing Trump. Musk has also expressed support for Ramaswamy’s potential appointment, with sources indicating that he sees the venture capitalist as a strong candidate for the role.

By Khagan Isayev