Former President Donald Trump may soon make an announcement about his pick for vice president, a choice that could turn out to be unique this cycle.
In past elections, a candidate’s running mate has been closely watched for various reasons. They may bring experience to balance a nominee’s lack of experience (think Barack Obama’s choice of Joe Biden), or they may appeal to a region or demographic the nominee wants to reach (think Donald Trump’s choice of Mike Pence), or they may be Expand the presidential campaign message (think Bill Clinton with Al Gore).
While the importance of VPs can be overstated, researchers have found that they typically influence general election results only if they are highly popular or polarizing. But as Vox’s Andrew Prokop explains, Trump’s choices may have particular significance because of their age and legal baggage they may have to take into account. Additionally, there are questions about whether VP Trump’s names will stand up to him — like Pence — if he tries to challenge the Democratic transition of the office again.
Increasingly, Trump has hinted that he may announce his decision soon. he told reporters recently He set his choice “in my mind” and who will “probably” be in the audience for his Thursday debate with Biden.
so far, Sources say, his top rival That includes Ohio Sen. JD Vance, who famously criticized the former president and then changed course, as well Presidential rivals turned allies Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. Several other names have also been revealed, everyone from Trump’s former HUD Secretary Ben Carson to House Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY).
While the VP choice may be a key issue for many voters, especially given how popular Trump is, each of these options will bring something slightly different to the ticket. With the caveat that other names may still emerge, here’s what we know about the potential running mates Trump is considering and what they have to offer.
Doug Burgum
who is he Burgum, 67, is the current governor of North Dakota, a former 2024 presidential candidate and a businessman. He previously founded a successful software company that he went on to sell to Microsoft for $1.1 billion, and now has an estimated net worth of $100 million. According to Forbes. As governor, he is known for supporting the state’s fossil fuel production and signing several anti-trans bills into law.
Like several on this list, Bergum has been critical of Trump in the past and has since changed his tune. He previously said that Biden won the 2020 election, though he did not directly condemn Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 riots.
What is the case for that? Bergum said he can bring his business acumen and outsider mentality to the ticket, both qualities Trump has noted about himself. He also has a substantial personal fortune that he can contribute to the race. And he has already taken to the airwaves as a Trump stooge in an apparent effort to demonstrate his loyalty. “This guy is tireless, he’s committed, he’s smart, he’s funny. He is nothing like the way he is portrayed in the media,” Burgum said in a recent Fox News appearance.
JD Vance
who is he Vance, 39, is a first-term senator from Ohio, a one-time Trump opponent and now a vocal Trump supporter. He is also known as its author Hillbilly ElegyA memoir chronicling his experiences growing up in a working-class family in the Midwest.
What is the case for that? Vance would fully embrace the MAGA agenda as one of Trump’s staunchest defenders, as well as add a youthful perspective. He will also bring some business acumen from his brief experience in the Senate and background working in venture capital. Like others on this list, he’s a pick that could resonate with the base.
Tim Scott
who is he A three-term, relatively conservative South Carolina senator, Scott, 58, is the only black Republican in the upper chamber. Scott is known for his own 2024 presidential run, which fizzled early, and his efforts to find a compromise on police reform in Congress. He had previously framed much of his candidacy as pushing back against Democrats’ views on race, citing his own success in disproving the idea that black Americans were held back by systemic racism.
What is the case for that? Scott is a devout social conservative whose political views broadly align with Trump, though his establishment credentials — including his refusal to contest the 2020 election results — may make some Republicans wary of the former president. Trump praised Scott, he noted said the South Carolina lawmaker, “You are a much better candidate for me than you are yourself.” Picking Scott could also be an attempt by the Trump campaign to cement the gains it made in 2020 with a small number of black voters.
Marco Rubio
who is he Rubio, 53, is a three-term Florida senator and former presidential candidate. He entered Congress as a Tea Party conservative, but established himself as a “moderate” alternative when he unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016. Prior to serving in the Senate, he also served in the Florida House of Representatives Throughout this role, Rubio has focused on foreign policy as well as immigration reform.
In the past, Rubio has criticized Trump and called him a “con artist,” but has become an ally and adviser in recent years.
What is the case for that? Rubio can bring legislative expertise to the Senate as well as the relationships he’s built, providing the policy Trump lacks on issues like the Ukraine war.
He also offers a different generational perspective as a Cuban American as well as Latino representation. In 2020, Trump has made some marginal gains with Latino voters in Florida and Texas, and picking Rubio could potentially help him reach more members of this community.
Byron Donalds
who is he Donalds, 45, is a two-term House lawmaker from Florida and previously served several terms as a state representative. Donalds is one of only a handful of black Republican members of Congress currently and described himself as “Everything the fake news media says doesn’t exist: a Trump-supporting, libertarian, pro-life, pro-Second Amendment black man.” Recently he has been criticized for comments that he suggested Black families were more “together” during the Jim Crow eraWhen policies segregated white and black Americans.
What is the case for that? Donalds can contribute the legal experience he has gained and add new energy to the ticket as a conservative rising star. He could increase representation on the ticket as the campaign continues to work on its appeal to black voters.
Alice Stefanik
who is he Stefanik, 39, is a five-term House representative and member of the House Republican leadership. Once more a moderate, he has drifted hard to the right in recent years after his upstate New York district went to Trump. Stefanik has raised his profile by speaking out against Trump’s impeachment at congressional hearings and questioning elite university presidents about anti-Semitism on campus in recent appearances. She has also long advocated for increasing Republican women’s representation in Congress and supported fundraising and recruiting initiatives to do so.
What is the case for that? Stefanik has nearly a decade of legislative experience and has increasingly established herself as a prominent conservative voice who can energize potential voters. He has signaled staunch loyalty to Trump and will bring gender and age diversity to the ticket, along with strong rhetorical skills.
His stated views are also quite consistent with Trump. Stefanik was among House Republicans who voted to overturn the results of the 2020 election and has taken the same extreme positions as the former president on issues like immigration.
Ben Carson
who is he Carson, 72, is a former HUD secretary and a renowned neurosurgeon. Carson is perhaps best known for performing the first successful procedure to separate conjoined twins. He ran for president in 2016 and endorsed Trump after dropping out. As HUD secretary, Carson was and later criticized for lacking the housing policy expertise needed for the gig Budget cuts have been called for It would undermine the work the agency was doing on issues like affordable housing.
What is the case for that? Carson is known for his medical skills and more even-keeled personality, which could serve as a complement to Trump. Trump’s campaign also saw modest gains with black voters, especially men, in 2020, and Carson could build on these wins to increase representation and outreach.
Update, June 26, 6 pm ET: This story was originally published on February 9 and has been updated to include new reports of candidates on Trump’s vice-presidential list.
