Ramaswamy and DeWine met to discuss Ohio Senate appointment

By Sophia Cai, Adam Wren, Holly Otterbein | 01/15/2025 04:20 PM EST

The DOGE co-leader previously took himself out of the running for the post.

walks through the halls of the Capitol Visitor Center.

Vivek Ramaswamy enters the mix after going dark on social media for almost two weeks, shortly after making controversial comments that upset MAGA activists online. Angelina Katsanis/POLITICO

Two months after taking himself out of the running for an Ohio Senate seat, Vivek Ramaswamy is under consideration for the post, according to two people familiar with the matter granted anonymity to discuss ongoing conversations.

Ramaswamy and Gov. Mike DeWine, who is tasked with appointing someone to the job recently vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance, met at the governor’s mansion over the weekend to discuss the post, according to one of the people.

Ramaswamy enters the mix after going dark on social media for almost two weeks, shortly after making controversial comments that upset MAGA activists online. In a discussion of H-1B visas, he said that tech companies hire foreign workers partly because of an American cultural mindset that has “venerated mediocrity over excellence.”

Advertisement

The timing of Ramaswamy’s decision to seek higher office has sparked speculation in GOP circles that he is looking for a lifeline after his contentious comments. Not only had he previously removed himself from consideration for the Senate post, he has also taken on a high-profile job co-leading President-elect Donald Trump’s cost-cutting efforts with Elon Musk in the so-called Department of Government Efficiency.

GET FULL ACCESS