This week, additional information regarding the potential campaign mate of former President Donald Trump in 2024 became available. Jennifer Harper explained in her Inside the Beltway blog for the Washington Times that Trump’s “choice of a running mate will be a crucial factor in his campaign” so long as he maintains the Republican nomination.
Voters were posed this straightforward question in a NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ poll: “Who among the following would you most prefer as the running mate for former President Trump in the 2024 presidential election?”
Here are the results of the survey:
Former Vice President Mike Pence was in the lead with 15% of the vote, followed by Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina with 13%, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley with 12%, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia with 6%.
Former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake followed with 5% support, along with Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, also with 5%, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (3%), former Michigan gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon (2%), and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (1%).
And here are the most telling numbers of all. The survey also found that 38% of respondents said “someone else” was their choice.
According to numerous earlier reports, Trump is in fact in favor of selecting a female running mate.
The most recent source to report on Trump’s alleged preferences was the website 1945, which stated that the former president is likely to “stun the world” with his choice of vice president in 2024 and named three rumored candidates: Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Arizona Republican Kari Lake, and South Dakota GOP Gov. Kristi Noem.
According to the report, Lake is:”Certainly looked ascendant last fall when she was competing for Arizona’s governorship. She enjoyed Trump’s endorsement, and she enjoyed favorable coverage in conservative media. It’s not hard to understand why. Lake is a unique creature, spewing the hard right rhetoric that MAGA Nation finds so endearing while doing so with the glitz and polish of a seasoned TV reporter. She was delivering Trump’s message – but she was doing so without the spray tan and the guttural accent and the lack of eloquence. Rather, Lake delivered Trump’s message all pretty-like.”
According to the data regarding Greene: “Trump loves her and she loves Trump. And impressively, MTG seems to be pivoting into a position of more mainstream acceptance with the GOP (as demonstrated through her support of Kevin McCarthy for speaker). The version of MTG that can appeal to both MAGA and the mainstream is a concerning premise, and someone that Trump has his eye on as a prospective running mate with appeal in the newly-in-play Georgia.”
Then report speculates about Noem: “The governor of South Dakota is apparently on Trump’s shortlist. Noem said she would be shocked if Trump chose her and I think she means it; she is a long-shot pick. But she’s got a few of the things Trump guns for. One, Noem has been loyal to Trump, vowing to support the former president through the 2024 campaign. And Trump values loyalty above seemingly all else.”
According to those close to the 45th president, he would likely select a vice presidential candidate who is “loyal,” “charismatic,” and “ideologically aligned” with him.
Richard Hanania, a political analyst, predicted earlier this month that Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who himself entered the GOP race, would ultimately be chosen by Trump.
He believes that selecting Scott, an African-American Republican who enjoys widespread support among conservatives, could be a crucial strategic decision.
“Trump is going to be the nominee, and I predict he picks Tim Scott as his running mate. Everyone loves an inoffensive black conservative, especially swing voters. Democrats will have to walk on eggshells in critiquing him. Trump-Scott ticket will be very tough to beat,” Hanania, president of the Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology, tweeted.
Scott announced his candidacy, and Trump wished him luck.
“Good luck to Senator Tim Scott in entering the Republican Presidential Primary Race,” he wrote on Truth Social. “It is rapidly loading up with lots of people, and Tim is a big step up from Ron DeSanctimonious, who is totally unelectable. I got Opportunity Zones done with Tim, a big deal that has been highly successful. Good luck Tim!”