President-elect Donald Trump has privately encouraged Vivek Ramaswamy to consider an appointment to the US Senate seat recently vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance if offered the position by Ohio Gov.

The Ohio-based biotech entrepreneur has emerged as a leading contender to succeed Vice President-elect JD Vance in the U.S. Senate.

Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has expressed interest in the Ohio U.S. Senate seat that was vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance, a person with direct knowledge of the biotech entrepreneur's wishes told The Associated Press.

Gov. Mike DeWine must pick someone to replace Vice President-elect JD Vance, who resigned his Senate seat last week.

Vivek Ramaswamy is in discussions about filling Vice President-elect JD Vance’s Senate seat in Ohio, two people briefed on the process told NBC News.

The co-leader of the “Department of Government Efficiency” could move to replace JD Vance in the Senate, though other contenders remain.