Former President Donald Trump is narrowing down his list of possible running mates, with some of the top candidates set to attend a donor retreat in Florida this weekend. Among those reportedly at the top of Trump’s list are Sen. JD Vance, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Sen. Marco Rubio, and Sen. Tim Scott, all of whom will be present at the event. Trump has been considering various potential VP picks and has recently expressed interest in Burgum, who has been seen as having little baggage and the ability to attract moderate voters.
However, Trump has eliminated Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake from his shortlist due to concerns about her potential loss in the Arizona Senate race. Trump has also shown interest in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, with speculation growing after a recent meeting between the two in Miami. Despite rumors surrounding potential running mates, some candidates have clear downsides, including potential conflicts with Trump’s base or past disagreements with the former president.
While Trump has not held one-on-one meetings with any contenders yet, he has indicated that he will make a running mate decision closer to the Republican National Convention in July. Trump’s campaign is currently vetting candidates as he continues to consider his options. The former president has previously mentioned a wide range of potential running mates, including South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and Rep. Elise Stefanik, among others.
The 2024 primary season has seen both Trump and President Joe Biden secure their parties’ nominations, setting the stage for the upcoming election cycle. Trump’s nomination is set to be formalized at the Republican National Committee convention in Milwaukee in July, while the Democratic National Committee will hold its convention in Chicago in August. As the election season heats up, Trump’s VP pick will play a critical role in shaping his campaign and potential path to the White House.
With various potential running mates in the mix and Trump’s decision expected closer to the convention, the political landscape is likely to see more developments in the coming months. While Trump has indicated some top candidates, the final choice could still be up in the air as the former president considers various factors in selecting his running mate. As the campaign season progresses, all eyes will be on Trump and his potential VP pick as they gear up for the 2024 election.
