Vivek Ramaswamy, the Indian-origin entrepreneur in biotech, is eyeing the US Senate seat that would be vacated if former President Donald Trump were to enter the presidential fray since then incumbent Senator J.D. Vance, the Republican nominee for Vice President, would quit.
"If I was asked to serve, then frankly, I would definitely consider it seriously," Ramaswamy said in an interview with NBC News.
He said, "I haven't discussed this with Governor DeWine, but you know I look forward to examining what the future holds in store. I would strongly consider it if asked."
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine will, under US regulations, appoint somebody to complete Vance's six-year term commenced on January 2023. The appointed individual will then need to run for the seat or allow others to contest for it.
Both DeWine and Vance are Republicans, and Ramaswamy is from Ohio, the state Vance represents in the Senate.
"It's much too early" to make a choice to replace Vance, DeWine has said.
If chosen by DeWine, Ramaswamy would be the only current sitting Senate member of Indian descent and just the second ever.
The first Indian American in the Senate was Vice President Kamala Harris. Her Senate seat opened when she was elected alongside President Joe Biden, to which California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Alex Padilla as her replacement. That same process is what previously landed former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich in legal hot water for trying to sell the Senate seat left open by Barack Obama's election to the presidency in 2008.
Ramaswamy could also win a place in a second Trump administration should the latter prevail. He found favor with Trump not just by coming out wholeheartedly for the MAGA agenda but also for ably defending him against ex-governors like Chris Christie and Nikki Haley during the Republican primaries—which Trump largely took lightly and during which he continuously held a strong lead in the polls.
Ramaswamy dropped out of the presidential race to throw his support to Trump and was in contention for the vice-presidential nod, but ultimately lost out.
There have been reports that Trump might nominate Ramaswamy to be Secretary of Homeland Security should he win, a position tasked with running the country's immigration services.
In pursuing the Senate seat being given up by Vance, Ramaswamy is keeping his options fluid.
"I also would have a serious discussion with President Trump about other ways by which I could make a difference in the country," he added, saying his top passion was taking on the regulatory state.
He added, "There are ways to address that from the executive branch. Some things need to be done by Congress and the Senate too. So, I look forward to having those conversations after the reelection of President Trump with J.D. Vance."
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