Who Will Be Trump’s Running Mate? The Competition Has Already Started

The Republican presidential primary season will begin with the Iowa caucuses on January 15, 2024. However, due to former President Donald Trump’s strong lead in the polls, there is already talk about potential running mates for him in the general election.

Trump is currently ahead of his primary competitors by an average of 60 percent nationally and over 20 percent in state polls, giving the impression that he is the likely nominee unless he makes a major mistake.

A number of individuals have begun considering the possibility of a Trump and Joe Biden rematch, looking past the primary calendar.

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) and others are discussing who should accompany Trump on the GOP ballot. Trump has briefly expressed his thoughts on a potential running mate, mentioning in September that he favored the idea of choosing a woman but ultimately wanted to select the most-qualified individual.

Take a glance at a selection of politicians who are considered potential running mates for Trump, listed in descending order of likelihood:

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem

For a while now, Noem has been considered a frontrunner to possibly become Trump’s next running mate.

She has strongly expressed her interest in the position and stands out as one of the few potential candidates that Trump has openly acknowledged would be under consideration.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina)

Scott is highly regarded in the Senate, and his bid for presidency involved minimal direct criticisms of Trump. In response, the former president notably refrained from targeting Scott, who happens to be the only black Republican in the Senate.

Rep. Elsie Stefanik (R-New York)

Before she ascended the House GOP leadership ladder, Stefanik had already gained recognition as a promising figure within the Republican Party. This was due to her unwavering support for Trump, which further solidified her position as one of his most devoted advocates.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Sanders gained national recognition as Trump’s press secretary at the White House, where she consistently supported the former president and engaged in confrontations with media organizations, notably CNN, frequently.

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Florida)

Donalds, a rising star in the House GOP, recently showed a willingness to consider the possibility of being a running mate with Trump.

Nikki Haley

At this moment, Haley appears to be a less probable choice as Trump’s Vice President, as she has established herself as a genuine contender in the race for president.

Since announcing her campaign in February, Haley, who previously served as the U.S. ambassador to the U.N, under Trump, has consistently gained support in the polls.

Haley is currently primarily dedicated to her own campaign and aims to secure the Republican nomination for president, rather than seeking a position as someone’s running mate.

Mike Pompeo

During Trump’s first term, Pompeo held the positions of secretary of state and CIA director. However, the former congressman from Kansas ultimately decided not to run for president in 2024.

Vivek Ramaswamy

Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur who experienced a temporary increase in his popularity during the summer, partially due to his adoption of Trump’s uninhibited approach, has consistently expressed admiration for the former president throughout his own 2024 campaign. This has led to assumptions that he is considering being Trump’s running mate.

Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia)

The congresswoman, known for being both loyal and outspoken in support of Trump, poses a significant risk if selected as a running mate due to her tendency to attract controversy. In a statement made in August, Greene expressed her willingness to be part of a presidential ticket alongside Trump.

Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon has also suggested that Greene may consider herself a potential candidate for the position of Trump’s vice president.