J.D. Vance, the author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” is seriously considering a Senate run in Ohio and is meeting with Republicans in Washington this week to discuss a potential bid, according to BuzzFeed.

Vance had initially declined to run for Senate, but is reconsidering after top Senate candidate, Ohio state Treasurer Josh Mandel (R) dropped out of the race last week, citing his wife’s health.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE (R-Ky.) reportedly talked with Vance on Monday about a potential bid.

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“The phone hasn’t stopped ringing since Friday,” said Jai Chabria, an adviser to Vance who traveled with him this week to Washington, told BuzzFeed.

“The amount of support for J.D. Vance is incredible. People are starting to realize he has the best message to beat [Democratic Sen.] Sherrod Brown Sherrod Campbell BrownBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death Emboldened Democrats haggle over 2021 agenda Hillicon Valley: Russia 'amplifying' concerns around mail-in voting to undermine election | Facebook and Twitter take steps to limit Trump remarks on voting | Facebook to block political ads ahead of election MORE. J.D. is giving serious consideration toward this, because there are very serious people asking him to run.”

Mandel’s surprise exit has shaken up the race to unseat Brown, who’s served in the Senate since 2007 and has been a staple in Ohio politics for decades. President Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE carried the Buckeye State by more than 8 points in 2016.

Businessman Mike Gibbons is now the only Republican contender running in the May 8 primary, with a filing deadline quickly approaching on Feb. 7. Gibbons has been releasing lists of local endorsements and announced that he would spend an additional $5 million for his campaign.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) has ruled out a Senate bid, but Rep. Jim Renacci James (Jim) B. RenacciOhio is suddenly a 2020 battleground Democrats fear Ohio slipping further away in 2020 Medicare for All won't deliver what Democrats promise MORE (R-Ohio), who is currently running for governor, said he'd strongly consider running for Senate instead if Trump encourages him.