The Scoop
Vivek Ramaswamy would consider an appointment to replace JD Vance in the Senate if it was offered — but is setting himself up for a gubernatorial run in Ohio and vastly prefers seeking that office, according to two people familiar with the matter.
The co-leader of Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency is angling to succeed his home state’s term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine, even as DeWine weighs a Senate replacement for Vance. Ramaswamy’s interest in running for governor was apparent at a town hall in September, when he quipped to attendees that he was “a little more inclined” to run after the idea received strong applause.
“His plan has been to rack up successes at DOGE and then run in a wide-open field in Ohio,” one person familiar with the matter told Semafor.
Ramaswamy met with DeWine over the weekend, and the Washington Post reported that Trump supports installing his onetime presidential primary rival in the Senate. But both people underscored to Semafor that while Ramaswamy would consider the opportunity if DeWine chose him, he’s long planned to go the gubernatorial route.
And Trump is said to support either the Senate seat or governorship for Ramaswamy, one of the people said.
A spokesperson for Ramaswamy declined to comment.
Know More
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted is still seen within GOP circles as the favorite for the Senate appointment, but he’s also said to have interest in the governorship. A September poll showed Ramaswamy and Husted as the top two contenders in the 2026 race, with Ramaswamy leading.
Husted and Ramaswamy are unlikely to run against each other, however, and if DeWine selects Husted for Senate, it could defuse a tough gubernatorial primary. Those close to Ramaswamy say he sees the governor’s race as the more open field.
Whoever gets appointed to the Senate would be expected to run for the remaining two years of Vance’s Senate term in 2026 and then for another six-year term in 2028.
Democrats are also likely to contest the race. Former Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, has declined to rule out another run for Senate and also may consider running for governor.
Brown lost Ohio’s hotly contested Senate race in November to Republican Bernie Moreno. Ramaswamy was also rumored to have interest in that campaign.