According to Conservative Brief, former President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism about the potential running mates among the current crop of Republican candidates for the 2024 nomination. During a rally in Michigan, Trump stated, “They’ll do anything: secretary of something, they even say VP. Has anyone seen a VP in that group? I don’t think so.” While Trump did not directly exclude all seven candidates from the debate, he indicated that he doesn’t see a strong candidate for the role.
However, South Dakota Republican Governor Kristi Noem appears to be high on Trump’s “VP list.” In a recent interview, Trump praised Noem, calling her fantastic and stating that she would be one of the people he would consider for a potential role. Trump also mentioned that he liked the concept of selecting a woman as his running mate but emphasized the importance of finding the right person for the position.
Roll Call speculates that Trump’s “VP list” is likely narrowed down to five Republicans:
- South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem
- Arizona Republican Kari Lake
- South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott
- Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley
- New York Rep. Elise Stefanik
Trump’s popularity has surged in recent polls, and he is reportedly surpassing President Joe Biden in critical swing states. A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that Trump is ahead of Biden in key swing states, with 41% to 35%, and 24% of voters remaining undecided. In a hypothetical head-to-head contest for the 2024 election, Biden and Trump are deadlocked at 39%, according to the survey.
Trump’s resurgence in polling numbers and potential influence in swing states could play a significant role in shaping the political landscape leading up to the 2024 election.
