NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump has narrowed his vice presidential shortlist to a handful of contenders as he prepares to announce his pick in the days before the Republican National Convention.
He told reporters he already has made his decision and that the person will be in attendance Thursday night at the first debate of the general election campaign.
Trump’s choice would likely become the immediate front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination four years from now if Trump were to win a second term. But that No. 2 will be under immense pressure from Trump and his allies to show loyalty at all times.
Trump has said his top consideration for a vice president is whether someone is qualified to take over as commander in chief.
But other factors at play: Who can raise money? Who performs well on television? Who will be most effective on the debate stage?
And given Trump’s penchant for unpredictability and drama, the best-laid plans could change.
A look at the top contenders heading into the convention in Milwaukee that will begin July 15.
Doug Burgum
Trump likes rich people. North Dakota’s twoterm governor is most definitely rich.
Before his time as governor, Burgum led a software company that was acquired by Microsoft for more than $1 billion. Burgum had initially run against Trump for the 2024 nomination, but the little-known governor from a sparsely-populated state gained little traction. When Burgum dropped his bid, he quickly endorsed the former president. But more than that, Trump and Burgum have hit it off personally.
Burgum and his wife, Kathryn, are said to get along especially well with Trump and his team — the kind of rapport that has particular currency in Trump’s orbit. It does not hurt that Trump thinks Burgum looks the part — a “central casting” pick.
Burgum, 67, would be unlikely to compete with Trump for the spotlight or to immediately overshadow him with 2028 talk.
But does the Republican Party want two older white guys atop the ticket?
JD Vance
Swept to national prominence by his bestselling memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” Vance has held office for less than two years. But during his short time in the Senate, the former venture capitalist from Ohio has established himself as one of the fiercest defenders of Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda, especially when it comes to foreign policy, trade and immigration.
At 39, Vance, would inject some millennial energy into a race that features an 81-year-old (Biden) and a 78-year-old (Trump) at the top of the major parties’ tickets. And a debate with Harris would certainly be heated.
Marco Rubio
If picking Vance would excite Trump’s base, choosing the Florida senator might expand the ticket’s appeal, particularly among deep-pocketed donors and more establishment- minded and moderate Republicans.
Rubio, once seen as a GOP hotshot, is now a well-respected voice on foreign policy and national security issues in his party. The son of Cuban immigrants, he speaks Spanish and could help Trump win over the Hispanic voters that his campaign is eagerly courting.
But then there is Rubio’s Florida “problem,” as Trump has called it.
The Constitution says two candidates from the same state cannot run as president and vice president, meaning Rubio would need to change his residency — something he is reportedly willing to do.
But does he really want the job? Rubio has been noticeably less present, publicly, than some of the others vying to be Trump’s No. 2 and did not appear with Trump at his criminal trial.
Tim Scott
The only Black Republican in the Senate, the South Carolinian would bring racial and stylistic diversity to the GOP ticket as well as a preacher’s touch. The self-described “bornagain believer” often quotes Scripture in political speeches that often reach a crescendo of calland- response. Scott and Trump worked closely together while Trump was in the White House on a host of policy issues, including Trump’s tax cuts, opportunity zones, and criminal justice reform legislation. Though Scott ran against Trump for the nomination this year, the senator largely declined to criticize the former president. After failing to gain traction despite millions spent on his behalf by high-profile donors, Scott endorsed Trump over fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley, Trump’s U.N. ambassador, and immediately began enthusiastically campaigning across New Hampshire and South Carolina on Trump’s behalf.
He continues to make frequent appearances on television and recently launched a $14 million campaign to win over minority voters in seven key swing states.
Trump has often joked that Scott has made a far better surrogate than he did a candidate.
But that has also raised questions about how Scott might perform on a debate stage with Harris later this year.
Elise Stefanik
The only woman on his shortlist, the New York congresswoman could help Trump win over skeptical college-educated and suburban women who sided with Biden in 2020.
Stefanik was once an aide to former House Speaker Paul Ryan and served in President George W. Bush’s White House, working for two Republicans now shunned by Trump loyalists. But she transformed during Trump’s four years in office into a fullyfledged Trump acolyte.
She defended him vigorously in both of his impeachment trials and railed against his criminal indictments. In 2022, Stefanik was the first member of Republican House leadership to endorse Trump’s campaign, and did so before he had even announced.
She saw her profile rise after her aggressive questioning in December of a trio of university presidents over antisemitism on campus that led to two of their resignations. Trump has repeatedly praised that performance.
Stefanik has spent years ingratiating herself with Trump and positioning herself as one of his most trusted allies and confidantes on Capitol Hill. And at 39, she would bring new energy to the ticket.
But is the leap from House member to VP too big?