Trump running mate: Former President Donald Trump has officially announced his third bid for the White House, launching his 2024 presidential campaign just a week after Republicans performed below expectations in the midterm elections. Trump, who was the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice and whose sole term ended in violence as supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, faces a number of legal and political challenges that could jeopardize his chances of winning a second term.
One of the most important decisions that Trump will have to make is choosing his running mate, who could potentially replace him in the Oval Office if he is elected and then unable to serve, for any reason. Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, has gone “separate ways” from him and is considering his own 2024 bid, raising the question: Who will be Trump’s running mate?
People Also Read: Will the 2024 Presidential Election be postponed to 2025?
According to sources close to Trump and political analysts, there are several possible candidates that Trump could pick as his vice presidential partner, depending on his strategy and goals. Some of the factors that Trump may consider are loyalty, popularity, diversity, experience, and electability. Here are five potential choices for a Trump running mate:
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: Greene is a far-right conspiracy theorist, a strong supporter of Trump and one of the most visible Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives, despite being stripped of her committee assignments last year. Trump has “repeatedly” discussed choosing her as his 2024 running mate, according to The New York Times Magazine journalist Robert Draper, because she has been “unflaggingly loyal” to him. Greene told Draper in his upcoming book that she would be “honored” to serve, but doesn’t expect the GOP establishment to support her.
- Rep. Elise Stefanik: Stefanik, who easily won a fifth term representing the North Country in Upstate New York, is one of the top House Republicans after rising in the ranks as a staunch Trump supporter. She endorsed him for president in 2024 on Friday, days before he even officially announced his campaign, and was re-elected GOP conference chair on Tuesday. Stefanik could help Trump appeal to moderate voters, women, and independents, as well as bring some political experience and credibility to his ticket.
- Sen. Tim Scott: Scott is the only Black Republican senator and one of the most popular GOP lawmakers in the country. He has managed to remain in Trump’s favor without endorsing every extreme action the former president has taken, making him both palatable to both the Republican and national electorates. Scott could help Trump shore up support among nonwhite voters, swing voters and undecided Republicans, as well as offer a compelling prospective president who could step in should Trump be elected and then unable to serve.
- Gov. Kristi Noem: Noem is the governor of South Dakota and a rising star in the Republican party. She has been vocal in her support for Trump and his policies, especially on issues such as immigration, abortion, and COVID-19. She has also rejected the certification of the 2020 election results and joined Trump’s lawsuit challenging them. Noem could boost Trump’s base enthusiasm and energize conservative voters, as well as add some diversity and charisma to his ticket.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis: DeSantis is the governor of Florida and one of the most popular Republican governors in the nation. He has been praised by Trump and his supporters for his handling of the pandemic, his opposition to lockdowns and mask mandates, and his defense of civil liberties and election integrity. He has also been seen as a potential challenger to Trump for the GOP nomination in 2024, but he may opt to join forces with him instead. DeSantis could help Trump secure the crucial state of Florida and its 29 electoral votes, as well as appeal to Hispanic voters, seniors, and veterans.
People Also Read: Why aren’t more people running for president in 2024?
Table
A possible table summarizing the main points of this article is:
| Candidate | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Marjorie Taylor Greene | Loyal to Trump, appeals to his base | Controversial, unpopular, inexperienced |
| Elise Stefanik | Moderate, popular, experienced | May alienate some conservatives, lacks charisma |
| Tim Scott | Diverse, popular, balanced | May not be loyal enough to Trump, faces backlash from some Black voters |
| Kristi Noem | Conservative, charismatic, supportive of Trump | Unproven, inexperienced, may clash with Trump |
| Ron DeSantis | Popular, successful, aligned with Trump | Ambitious, may overshadow Trump, may face legal troubles |
FAQ
Q: Why does Trump need a new running mate?|
A: Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, has gone “separate ways” from him and is considering his own 2024 bid.
Q: Who are the most likely candidates for Trump’s running mate?
A: According to sources and analysts, some of the most likely candidates are Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Rep. Elise Stefanik, Sen. Tim Scott, Gov. Kristi Noem, and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Q: What are the factors that Trump may consider when choosing his running mate?
A: Some of the factors that Trump may consider are loyalty, popularity, diversity, experience, and electability.
Q: How will Trump’s running mate affect his chances of winning the 2024 election?
A: Trump’s running mate could potentially help him broaden his appeal, mobilize his base, secure key states and demographics, and reassure voters about his ability to govern. However, his running mate could also hurt him by alienating some voters, creating controversies, or overshadowing him.
People Also Read: Should Trump be allowed to run in 2024? Why?
