Former President Donald Trump’s search for a running mate for the 2024 presidential elections has been informal and unconventional. Potential vice presidential candidates are engaging in a public dance with the Trump campaign, trying to catch his attention and be helpful. Despite the lack of a formal vetting process, various front-runners have been visiting Trump at the New York courthouse where he is on trial and defending him publicly.
The private jockeying for the VP spot includes phone calls with Trump and efforts by surrogates to promote favored candidates, but there have been no formal discussions or requests for personal information from candidates yet. The VP selection process seems to have been delayed by Trump’s trial, with plans to announce his running mate around the time of the GOP convention in July.
Trump’s campaign adviser, Susie Wiles, is leading the VP search, and some of the top candidates include Doug Burgum, Marco Rubio, Tim Scott, J.D. Vance, and Elise Stefanik. While some in Trump’s orbit have favorites, including Rubio and Scott, there is no sense of urgency in the campaign about making a decision yet.
The VP candidates have been staying in touch with Trump and Wiles, seeking to catch their attention through media appearances and lobbying. Trump allies have their own favorites among the potential candidates, and Trump himself seems to be enjoying the competition between contenders for his attention. Despite the lack of a formal vetting process so far, the selection of a running mate carries significant weight, as the chosen individual would likely be a major contender for the GOP nomination in the 2028 election, even if Trump loses in 2024.
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