President-elect Donald Trump’s chief strategist, Stephen Bannon, encouraged him to meet with Mitt Romney following his victory on Election Day, according to a high-level transition source.

{mosads}Bannon wanted the 2012 GOP nominee included in the selection process, but beyond that, he has not been advocating for Romney to serve as secretary of State in the president-elect’s administration.

The former Massachusetts governor was a strong critic of the president-elect during his presidential campaign. 

The president-elect has faced backlash over his consideration of Romney to serve in his administration.

Those close to Trump want him to select people for his administration who were loyal to him and who embody the national populist movement, according to a high level transition source.

Trump aide Kellyanne Conway questioned last month whether Romney would be loyal. She suggested some Trump supporters would feel “betrayed” if Trump nominated someone who was so vehemently opposed to his campaign.

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich, a strong Trump supporter, has also spoken out publicly against Romney serving in Trump’s cabinet. He has said he thinks Trump supporters would be “enormously disappointed” if the president-elect were to choose Romney.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and retired Gen. David Petraeus are also reportedly in the mix to serve as secretary of State. In recent days, Trump has expanded the field to include former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson.

On Tuesday, MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” reported that the field for secretary of State candidates was “wide open,” but that Romney was at the top of the president-elect’s list.

Jonathan Swan contributed.