Entrepreneur is under consideration—and being pushed by Trump—to fill the vice president-elect’s vacant seat
MILWAUKEE (TND) — Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on Monday said he would “strongly consider” serving in the U.S. Senate if asked to fill the vacancy of Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio.
The remarks followed former President Donald Trump’s decision to name Sen. Vance as his running mate. Speaking at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Ramaswamy said he was enticed by the prospect.
To be frank, I would strongly consider it if I were asked to serve, but I would also want to have a serious conversation with President Trump about the other ways that I could have an impact on the country,” Ramaswamy said.
He continued, noting his primary political objective is to confront the “regulatory state.” Ramaswamy, an Ohioan, admitted he could do so through either the Senate or the executive branch in an apparent bid for a position in the Trump White House.
If Trump were to be elected in November, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine would be allowed to appoint an interim senator in Sen. Vance’s place until the state could hold a special election, according to the Senate website.Ramaswamy said the governor has not reached out to discuss such a situation.
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Ramaswamy proved to be popular with Republican voters in the lead-up to the presidential primaries, but suspended his bid following a poor showing at the Iowa caucuses. Some voters went on to speculate Trump was considering Ramaswamy as a running mate.