Trump Campaign Forms Short List for Potential Running Mate in 2024 Presidential Bid
Former President Donald Trump has revealed that he already knows who his running mate will be for the 2024 presidential bid. However, senior officials within his campaign are still evaluating several potential candidates and have formed a “short list” to choose from. This news comes after Trump’s recent victory in the Iowa caucuses and his expected win in the New Hampshire primary.
Speculation has been rife about who Trump’s running mate might be, with two notable contenders being former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. However, sources close to the Trump campaign have confirmed that neither Haley nor DeSantis are currently on the short list for vice president. Instead, the list includes Ohio GOP Senator JD Vance, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik.
Vance and Sanders are rising stars within the GOP and members of the party’s Trump-centric MAGA wing. Vance, a former venture capitalist and author, adopted the MAGA platform to win his seat in 2022, deviating from Republican orthodoxy on trade and foreign engagement. Sanders, as Trump’s former White House spokeswoman, is well-acquainted with the former president’s agenda and has proven her loyalty by battling the press on his behalf.
Stefanik, who recently made headlines for her takedown of top Ivy League college chiefs during a hearing on campus antisemitism, is also on the short list. However, she is considered a “long shot” by one person close to the campaign. Stefanik has been a staunch supporter of Trump and has actively promoted the MAGA agenda throughout her tenure in Congress.
Notably absent from the short list is Wall Street executive-turned-author Vivek Ramaswamy, who endorsed Trump after losing in Iowa. Ramaswamy’s populist policies closely align with Trump’s, but his flamboyant campaigning style drew criticism, including from Trump himself. The former president questioned Ramaswamy’s ability to handle the legal attacks he faced and suggested that he may not survive while in office.
It remains uncertain if Huckabee Sanders or Vance are interested in the vice presidential position, as neither has responded to requests for comment. However, Stefanik has expressed her willingness to serve in the Trump administration in any capacity, according to the Wall Street Journal.
While Trump claims to already know his running mate, GOP strategists caution that the short list is subject to change. They also suggest that Trump’s statement about knowing his VP choice should be taken with a grain of salt. Trump is known for his ability to command attention and generate free publicity, and this could be another tactic to solidify his nomination and discourage voter turnout for Haley and DeSantis in New Hampshire.
As the 2024 presidential bid unfolds, all eyes are on Trump and his potential running mate. With a strong list of candidates, the former president is poised for another exciting campaign season. His choice for vice president will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of the GOP and determining his chances of victory.