Ohio Gov. DeWine rejects reported Vivek Ramaswamy bid to fill JD Vance’s seat in Senate, picks lieutenant governor

Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine rejected a reported spirited bid by Vivek Ramaswamy to fill the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance and chose Jon Husted, his lieutenant governor, to fill the seat.

DeWine made the announcement on Friday from his social media account.

‘He’s a serious guy for very serious times.’

Ramaswamy was embroiled in a heated online debate over the H-1B visa system that is opposed by many on the right but favored by tech entrepreneurs. Billionaire Elon Musk vehemently supports the system as the owner of Tesla and SpaceX.

An anonymous source told to Politico that Ramaswamy learned he was not to be picked for the Senate in a call on Friday. The Columbus-area entrepreneur reportedly made a late bid for the seat and was campaigning hard for the position, despite having previously asserted that he would run for governor.

“It was bizarre,” the source is quoted as saying.

Husted is considered an “institutionalist” and would carry on the agenda of the governor.

“He’s a serious guy for very serious times,” said the source about Lieutenant Gov. Husted. “And nobody knows the state better.”

The Center for Christian Virtue endorsed the pick on social media.

“Throughout his service to Ohio, Lt. Governor Husted has been a champion for Ohio’s children and families,” read a statement from CCV president Aaron Baer. “Under his leadership, Ohio has become a national school-choice leader and has taken significant steps to protect parental rights. I’m grateful for Governor DeWine selecting a pro-life leader who understands the challenges Ohio communities and families are facing today.”

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