Former President Trump’s search for a running mate is entering the final stretch, with an announcement expected in the coming days.
Sources said the former president is still focused on Senators Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum (R) as his top potential running mates, although Rubio and Vance have reportedly been at the center of the discussions.
“If I were President Trump, I would pick someone who could add value in 2024. Expand the map, take it — prosecute the case against liberals,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a Trump ally. he said Sunday on “Face the Nation.”
Trump is expected to make his choice public before the Republican National Convention, which begins next Monday. A source close to the campaign said the former president could make the announcement at a campaign rally in Florida on Tuesday, a rally in Pennsylvania scheduled for Saturday, or, perhaps more likely, in a post on Truth Social.
“It could happen at any time this week. It could literally happen by the first day of the convention,” Jason Miller, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign, said Monday on Fox News.
However, news of Trump’s running mate announcement could potentially interrupt one of the most negative news cycles of President Biden’s administration.
“Other than Election Day 2016, this was the best two weeks of Donald Trump’s political career,” said Ford O’Connell, a Republican strategist. “He’s leading in national polls, he’s leading in state polls, he’s leading in terms of available money, and Democrats are talking about kicking his opponent off the ticket. There’s no way he’s going to get into the fight.”
Both Vance and Rubio said Sunday they had not heard one way or another whether they were chosen to join Trump on the ticket.
All three men – Vance, Rubio and Burgum – have their supporters and detractors lobbying for or against them.
The Wall Street Journal called Burgum the “best man” for the job, citing his governing ability and business background, while critics question whether the red-state governor would do much to expand Trump’s appeal.
Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and some other lawmakers defended Vance, praising him as the face of the America First movement in Congress and a capable messenger for the ticket. But skeptics question whether Vance, a first-term senator, has the experience necessary to serve as vice president alongside Trump, who is 78 and limited to one more term.
Rubio’s allies argued that the senator could help expand Trump’s appeal to minority voters, which could destroy President Biden’s coalition and potentially flip swing states in Trump’s favor. However, Rubio and Trump were bitter rivals in the 2016 presidential race, and the senator would need to move outside of Florida to join the ticket.
“There is no indication of when it will be or who it will be. President Trump and his team did an epic job creating suspense,” said a Republican strategist familiar with the process.
The Trump campaign has been tight-lipped for weeks about any developments in the search for a running mate, saying only the former president knows who he will choose.
“As President Trump himself has said, the main criteria in selecting a vice president is a strong leader who can be a great president,” senior campaign adviser Brian Hughes said in a statement. “But anyone who says they know who or when President Trump will choose his vice president is lying, unless that person is named Donald J. Trump.”
The Trump campaign last month sent verification materials to several candidates. In addition to the finalists, the campaign maintained contact with Representative Elise Stefanik (RN.Y.), Representative Byron Donalds (R-Florida), Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Senator Tim Scott (RS.C. ) and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson.
While Trump is focused on his pick, some Republicans have pushed for the former president to consider a running mate with broad appeal to more moderate voters who could bolster his standing in swing states.
Some Republicans have suggested that Trump should consider picking Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) as his running mate, citing Youngkin’s appeal outside Trump circles. The conversation surrounding the governor comes as Republicans feel increasingly optimistic about Virginia, a state that hasn’t joined the party since 2004.
“Someone that’s not talked about, that should be, in my opinion, is Youngkin from Virginia. If we beat Virginia, we win. It’s over,” Graham said in the same “Face the Nation” interview.
Trump said last month at his post-debate rally in Virginia that he is “considering” Youngkin as an option. Youngkin, for his part, responded to the speculation, saying he is “humbled” but focused on his current work.
When asked about the running mate speculation surrounding Youngkin, Trump donor Dan Eberhart said “maybe, but he’s not MAGA.”
“I wish Trump would help himself,” Eberhart added.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
