In a special edition of “The Top 10 Stories You Need To Know This Week,” we take a look at the top 10 likely candidates to be President Trump’s choice for Vice President next week at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee!
The shortlist is reportedly down to Ohio Senator JD Vance, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
10. Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York
Stefanik, though a long shot, gives Trump a female on the ticket.
If New Jersey is as much in play as some contend, she could be a valuable asset flipping the state.
9. Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton
Distrusted by much of the grassroots because of his ties to the military industrial complex and DC elites like Mitch McConnell, Cotton would be an establishment favorite.
After how things ended with Mike Pence, Cotton, who would do little to boost the ticket geographically or demographically, isn’t likely to be on the ticket with Trump.
8. Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida
Donalds, a loyal Trump supporter, would add youth and color to the ticket.
He could help Trump big league with black male Dems, a group President Trump is expected to do historically well with.
7. Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy
Vivek would certainly be a wild card pick, but could be a powerful surrogate for Trump on the campaign trail.
He’s proven he can throw punches, and is great in interviews—that’s a big part of what a VP candidate needs to be able to do during the campaign. And imagine him debating Kamala!
Though he may not be the choice, look for Vivek to have a big role in the campaign this fall, as well as in the Trump administration in January.
6. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
Trump could almost instantly unite the few remaining “Haters” in the party choosing DeSantis as his running mate. (The overwhelming majority of Haley voters never voted for Trump in 2016 or 2020 anyway.)
The popular Florida Governor dropped out and endorsed President Trump early, then repeatedly went after Nikki Haley, and has proven during COVID he knows how to lead on tough issues.
Constitutional questions because both he and Trump live in Florida, and remnants of the nasty campaign, may be too much to overcome for DeSantis, who is said to be a possible Attorney General pick for the Trump administration.
5. Dr. Ben Carson
Carson could help Trump with black men, and his Michigan roots could assist in flipping the Great Lakes State back to red.
Carson, a brilliant surgeon with a great story, is well respected across ideological lines, is loyal to President Trump, and skilled at dealing with the media.
4. South Carolina Senator Tim Scott
Once thought to be a leading contender, Scott has fallen off the shortlist, but is still reportedly in the mix.
Scott earned President Trump’s respect with his historic legislation creating “regional opportunity zones,” something he frequently touts on the trail.
Scott, like Carson and Donalds, would help Trump with black men, a demographic polls show is increasingly moving towards Trump.
3. Ohio Senator JD Vance
Popular with the MAGA base and a close friend of Don Jr., Vance is well liked in the Trump inner circle.
Vance could help Trump in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
However, the “Hillbilly Eligy” author may prove to be too valuable in the Senate at this time.
2. Florida Senator Marco Rubio
From “Lil Marco” to top VP contender, Rubio sure has come a long way in 8 years!
Rubio could be a great asset for Trump with Hispanics, and he has valuable legislative experience dealing with the swamp.
However, just like DeSantis and Donalds, the Constitutional question of Rubio’s status as a Florida resident complicates his possible selection.
1. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum
A billionaire Governor who looks like he’s straight out of the Hollywood casting audition for VP, Burgum has went from a D-list Presidential contender to an A-list Vice Presidential candidate.
Burgum has been stumping for Trump all across the country for months, raising money, visited his trial, and has reportedly provided significant assistance behind the scenes to the Trump team and their allies ever since he dropped out of the race last year.
Though Rubio, Vance, or a wild card pick may prevail, a lot of people are betting on Burgum.
