Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech millionaire turned longshot candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, claimed on Monday that he was offered the chance of a second-place finish at a Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) straw poll.
The only catch: he'd have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Appearing on Fox Business, Ramaswamy alleged that a consultant called his campaign shortly after he declared his candidacy on February 21.
Ramaswamy alleged that the consultant, who he did not name, said: "Hey, we can get you up to number two on there if you pay a few hundred thousand dollars."
—Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) March 6, 2023
Ramaswamy, who is a relative unknown in what is likely to be a crowded field of Republicans, said he was "shocked."
Asked if he agreed to pay to be placed second in the straw poll, he responded: "Absolutely not."
Ramaswamy, who has never served in political office, received just 1% of the vote in the unscientific straw poll of potential Republican primary candidates. Former President Donald Trump came in first with 62%, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump's likely main rival, trailing him in second at 20%.
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