The bipartisan primaries in the United States are not yet over, but with decisive victories in the first two nomination races, former Donald Trump has begun to answer questions about who will be his deputy candidate.
When asked in an interview last Sunday (Feb. 4) about his running mate for 2024**, Trump told Fox News that he does not plan to announce his selection "for the time being." He said he was looking for someone who "could be a good **". He said he had been talking to a lot of people and mentioned South Carolina Senator Tim Scott and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem.
Just last month, Trump spoke of his potential running mate, "I know who it would be," but did not provide any further details.
Most candidates won't announce their running mates until the summer of ** when they get their official nominations, and Trump is expected to follow that precedent. Sources close to Trump's campaign said they suggested that Trump hold off on announcing his deputy candidate until he gets a formal nomination in the summer to create suspense and increase his influence over candidates vying for the position.
Sources close to Trump have mentioned that a potential deputy has a prominent position in the campaign. Here are the six most likely candidates to become Trump's vice-president, which one do you prefer?
New York State Representative
Élise Stefanik
New York Rep. Elise Stefanik is one of Trump's fiercest defenders. As the No. 4 Republican in the House of Representatives, she was one of the first members of Congress to support Trump when he announced his third candidacy**.
The 39-year-old Stefanik is only half the age of the 77-year-old Trump. She is seen as the successor to the MAGA initiated by Trump and has fought for Trump many times as a key member of Trump's 2019** defense team.
In January, she filed a number of ethics complaints against judges over the Jan. 6 incident. Stefanik was one of 147 Republicans who voted against certifying the results of the 2020 election.
Sources told CBS that Trump sees Stefanik as a potential running mate. When asked if she would serve as deputy **, Stefanik told NBC News that she would be "honored to serve in any capacity" in Trump**.
Senator of South Carolina
Tim Scott
The South Carolina senator dodged questions about becoming Trump's deputy during his own campaign. He dropped the Republican Party's ** candidate in November 2023 and backed Trump ahead of the New Hampshire primary, which dealt a blow to former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
Trump said he recently called Scott and told him, "'You're a better candidate for me than you are.'" ’”
We need Donald Trump," Scott told Trump supporters at a Jan. 19 rally in Concord, New Hampshire. "We need a ** who can unite our country.
Trump praised Scott as "a man of faith, courage and conviction, a man who fought for those opportunities, a man who fought for school choice." ”
Scott, the most leading black man in the Republican Party, could help Trump win over black voters, who have traditionally been a key supporter of the Democratic Party.
Scott told CBS that he would never ask Trump for a cabinet position, but refused to answer whether he wanted to be Trump's deputy **.
One of the things I want to do is make sure we win in 2024," he said, "and I'm not going to think about it personally." ”
Governor of South Dakota
Christy Noem
Noem has always been very loyal to Trump and has long been considered a deputy candidate. Noam, from the red state of South Dakota, had considered running for 2024**, but ultimately decided not to run again when Trump announced that he would run again.
I think he's going to run. If Trump runs, I will support him," Noam said.
In 2020, she rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic by refusing to enforce strict mask mandates in South Dakota.
Noem was also one of the first governors to support Trump, announcing her support for him at a rally last September, and she campaigned for Trump in Iowa several times before the caucus in January. Noam had said in September that she would "immediately" consider the deputy position. She also has close ties to MAGA World as well as former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.
Governor of North Dakota
Doug Bourgum
Another 2024** candidate, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, has also been nominated by the Trump campaign as a potential running mate. Bulgum, the first former 2024** candidate to officially support Trump, joined Trump at a rally in Indianola, Iowa, on January 14 (the eve of the caucus) to announce his support for Trump.
The Trump team likes Bulgum, and he didn't say anything negative about him when he ran for his party nominee. Bulgum is seen as a staunch conservative with credentials suitable for a variety of cabinet positions, including deputy **.
He's one of the best governors in our country, and I hope I'll be able to invite him to be a part of the league, a very important part of that," Trump said of Bulgum at the Jan. 14 meeting.
As governor, Bulgum signed a six-week abortion ban and legislation restricting transgender rights. He was also a fiscal hawk, cutting state spending while implementing the largest tax cuts in North Dakota's history. He has led North Dakota since 2016 and announced in January that he would not seek a third term as governor.
Governor of Arkansas
Sarah Huckabee Saunders
The former Trump's current governor of Arkansas is another young female conservative Trump may consider becoming a deputy. Sanders, 41, is the youngest governor in the United States and is seen as a rising star in the Republican Party. Last year, Sanders delivered a Republican response to Biden's State of the Union address. In November 2023, she officially supported Trump at a campaign rally in Hialea, Florida.
But Sanders dismissed the idea of becoming a vice-a**. "I am honored to serve as governor, and I hope I can continue to serve as governor for the next seven years," Governor Sanders said
Former Minister of Housing and Urban Development
Dr. Ben Carson
Carson is a well-known neurosurgeon, former secretary of housing and urban development, and one of the longest-serving cabinet secretaries under Trump. On Jan. 6, multiple cabinet ministers resigned as a sign of resigning, citing the Capitol incident, and Carson has remained loyal to the former since then.
Carson ran on the same stage as Trump in the 2016 primary, and he campaigned for the former in the lead up to the Iowa caucus. The devout ** disciple told Trump's supporters that when voting for Trump, look less at Trump's rhetoric and more at what he has achieved.
He was a staunch believer. Now, sometimes that might not be reflected in his speeches, but I always say, 'Wouldn't it be better to see what a person does?' Carson said.
Carson is considered a safe choice for vice-runners because he's well-liked by conservatives and outlaws. In response to a question about whether he would become Trump's deputy **, Carson said, "I don't want to talk about private conversations. ”