With Vice President-elect J.D. Vance leaving the U.S. Senate, the race is on to fill the soon-to-be vacant Ohio seat.

According to the New York Post, two candidates have emerged at the top of the pack.

Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timken and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

BREAKING: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is reportedly considering appointing Vivek Ramaswamy to replace JD Vance in the Senate. pic.twitter.com/pvVzkqJigu

— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) November 11, 2024

From the New York Post:

Timken, a Harvard-educated attorney and Ohio Republican Party chair, is a slight favorite in the eyes of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, say sources close to his decision.

The deciding factor will be President-elect Donald Trump. If he decides to pressure DeWine and ask him to appoint a more Make America Great Again candidate, Ramaswamy will win the seat, sources say. But if the decision remains in DeWine’s famously moderate hands, experts feel Timken has it sewn up.

“She’s a good compromise between MAGA and DeWine in my opinion,” a Republican insider working closely on Ohio’s senatorial transitions told The Post.

The Buckeye GOP’s true fear is Democrat Sherrod Brown returning to challenge the appointee in the special election required to full Vance’s seat until it’s up for grabs in 2028.

Ohio Gov Mike DeWine considering Vivek Ramaswamy, Jane Timken to fill JD Vance's Senate seat: reporthttps://t.co/CqbXEBnnAV

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) November 11, 2024

Vance reportedly met with the Ohio governor about the vacant seat.

Unnamed sources claimed Vance said during the meeting he wanted no RINOs or moderates, or he would oppose their re-election.

“It’s going to be Vivek,” one GOP insider told the New York Post.

“DeWine isn’t going to like it, but Trump is the one who’s gonna make the call. And DeWine will take that call,” the insider told the outlet.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will pick JD Vance's Senate replacement. The state's deep bench of federal and statewide officeholders and past Senate aspirants gives him a wealth of options.https://t.co/Toki5Ub9QF

— Bloomberg Government (@BGOV) November 11, 2024

The Post Millennial reports:

The source added that DeWine is not a “MAGA guy” and that Ramaswamy is, and Trump has the final say. In March, it was revealed that Trump was considering Ramaswamy for a cabinet position, amid rumors that he could be the vice president pick. On Sunday, Ramaswamy hinted at a possible Trump cabinet position, saying “there’s a couple great options on the table.” These positions included Homeland Security director, The Independent reported.

When asked about his replacement on Election Day, Vance replied, “I’m much too superstitious to think about that now,” adding, “That sounds like a problem for January 21.”