Though only two individuals have formally announced their bid to become the Republican nominee for president in 2024, several seem to be vying for a VP slot — particularly to become former President Donald Trump’s running mate.
Months ago, Trump signaled that his former vice president, Mike Pence, would not be on the ticket with him. In recent weeks, Pence has indicated he is contemplating a run for the Oval Office.
Several political commentators have speculated that Trump will choose a woman to join him on the ticket — noting that he did not poll well with women in his 2020 loss to President Joe Biden.
Experts note that for Trump, the primary qualification to serve with him is unconditional loyalty. The Washington Examiner identified four women topping the list to fill Trump’s vice-president slot: Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Gov. Sarah Huckabee (R-AR) and gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake of Arizona.
Sanders currently serves as the youngest governor in the United States. The former press secretary for Trump delivered a powerful rebuttal (and tribute to Trump) in this month’s response to Biden’s State of the Union address.
The Examiner noted that a former White House official referred to Sanders as an “expert communicator who knows exactly what it takes to cut it in a Trump administration.”
The source added that Sanders “could serve as a counterbalance to the argument that Trump should not seek reelection based on his age. She represents the future of the MAGA movement.”
Noem has served as governor of South Dakota since 2018 and as a member of the House of Representatives for about 10 years. She has a proven track record of supporting conservative policies and pushing back against progressive initiatives.
Noem is also known for her penchant for pageantry — pundits suggest this will play well as she courts Trump for the vice-president slot. One analyst said: “Anyone who says that won’t play a factor in the president’s mind is lying to themselves,” adding, “optics are everything.”
Stefanik made a name for herself while serving on the president’s defense team during his first impeachment. In recent years she has adopted a more conservative perspective and now frequently touts her strong ties to Trump. Notably, Stefanik endorsed Trump before he announced his intent to run in 2024.
Lake is a rising star in the GOP. Though she has limited political experience, she made a name for herself in a strong showing in November’s Arizona governor’s race — particularly after the election when she, with apparent proof, claimed election fraud in her 2022 race and in Trump’s 2020 election.
Her repeated claim of widespread fraud in the 2020 election may endear her to Trump. One Trump campaign official told the Examiner, “She’s the one we have to watch out for.”
Noting that some Trump campaign officials desire to steer away from election fraud claims, one warned that if Lake “ends up being the pick, this whole thing goes belly up.”
Other potentials for vice president are former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, and former governor and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who recently announced her intent to run for president in 2024.
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