NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 09:  Republican president-elect Donald Trump gives a thumbs up to the crowd during his acceptance speech at his election night event at the New York Hilton Midtown in the early morning hours of November 9, 2016 in New York City. Donald Trump defeated Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton to become the 45th president of the United States.  (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
'Hillbilly Elegy' author on Rust Belt voters
05:07 - Source: CNN

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The call follows GOP candidate Josh Mandel's unexpected departure from the race

Vance has emerged as a national voice on the sentiments of white working-class Americans

CNN  — 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has spoken to “Hillbilly Elegy” author JD Vance about a potential run for Senate in Ohio following GOP candidate Josh Mandel’s unexpected departure from the race last week, a source familiar with the call confirmed to CNN.

The top Senate Republican reached out to Vance, who is a CNN contributor, to offer advice about what he could expect from a potential bid, the source said. The call was described as a conversation rather than a pitch to run, and the source said Vance appeared to be taking it in at this point and contemplating whether he could make a real difference in the race and the Senate. Politico first reported the call.

A spokesperson for Vance told CNN they are “unable to confirm anything at this time.”

Mandel, who cited his wife’s health issues as cause for his withdrawal, was thought to be the leading candidate in the high-stakes midterm race against incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Vance told The Atlantic in September 2017 he had considered but decided against a Senate bid, saying “it would have been an objectively bad call for my family.”

The best-selling author has ties to Republican Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, the Koch Brothers and others within the conservative community, according to CNN’s source.

Vance emerged as a national voice on the sentiments of white working-class Americans with his memoir of growing up in the Rust Belt. During the 2016 campaign, he often spoke to the motivations of Donald Trump voters in this community.

CNN’s Dan Merica contributed to this report.