As Former President Donald Trump moves closer to the GOP presidential nomination, among his likely options for a new vice-presidential running mate are allies who have appeared alongside him at campaign events in recent days, and who appear to be angling for the job.
Former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the SNHU Arena on January 20, 2024 ... [+]
Among the names most commonly floated among pundits and press right now are: Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.).
Trump has told his inner circle he has made a selection, according to Politico, which also reported some of his confidants are not taking the claim seriously since Trump seems to be letting the process play out publicly.
The question has increasingly been raised on the campaign trail in recent days in the wake of Trump’s decisive win in the Iowa caucuses—-both Stefanik and Vance have not denied wanting the job.
While Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ allies have repeatedly accused former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley of having vice presidential aspirations, both she and Trump have publicly ruled her out.
Trump has praised Stefanik, one of the first members of Congress to endorse him and a staunch promoter of his unfounded election fraud claims, and he has spoken highly of Scott in private, the New York Times reported, citing an unnamed Republican consultant who said Trump complimented Scott directly after he appeared alongside him at a rally in New Hampshire Friday.
Several of the candidates have clear downsides. Stefanik represents a solidly blue state that Trump almost certainly can’t win. Noem is embroiled in scandal over accusations she had an affair with former Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski. Trump has openly feuded with Ramaswamy on the campaign trail, urging his supporters not to vote for him and declaring he “is not MAGA” just days before the Iowa caucuses. And Lake comes with significant baggage as she has refused to acknowledge she lost the Arizona gubernatorial race following a campaign centered on Trump’s 2020 own election fraud claims.
Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, dropped out of the GOP presidential race in October, and has had a frayed relationship with his former boss after Trump urged him not to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. Pence has claimed Trump asked him to “choose between him and the Constitution.” Trump has countered that Pence is “delusional.”
“I’d be honored—I’ve said that for a year—to serve in a future Trump administration in any capacity,” Stefanik told reporters Saturday at Trump’s campaign office in New Hampshire, where she was greeted with “V.P.” chants by his supporters.
New Hampshire will hold its GOP presidential primary Tuesday. Trump is leading Haley, 49% to 34%, according to FiveThirtyEight’s polling average, while DeSantis has 5% of support.
Trump handily won the Iowa caucuses Monday, kicking off the official 2024 campaign cycle with a commanding victory that solidified his frontrunner status. The race was called for Trump before voting even concluded, and he finished with 51% of votes in his favor, consistent with polling projections. DeSantis finished in second place, with 21% of votes, while Haley won 19%. Ramaswamy dropped out of the race after winning just 8% of votes. Trump has been balancing his campaign with his various legal battles—appearing in Manhattan federal court last week for writer E. Jean Carroll’s defamation trial against him, where a jury is set to decide how much he owes her in damages.