A recent poll has shed light on the leading preferences among Republicans for Donald Trump’s potential vice president if he secures victory in the upcoming presidential election.
While the former president, currently the GOP frontrunner, has not publicly disclosed his running mate, a straw poll conducted by McLaughlin & Associates during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) has unveiled the top contenders. According to right-wing news network Real America’s Voice, two Republicans, Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota, a staunch Trump ally, and Vivek Ramaswamy, a former GOP primary candidate who now endorses Trump, both garnered 15 percent of the votes, positioning them neck and neck in conservative preferences.
The poll also highlighted Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman who ran for president in 2020 and has gained popularity in conservative circles, securing 9 percent of the vote. New York Representative Elise Stefanik, rumored to be on Trump’s list, and Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who withdrew from the White House race in November and endorsed Trump, both received 8 percent of the vote.
During a Fox News town hall event in South Carolina, Trump acknowledged the potential candidates mentioned in the poll, including Ron DeSantis, Byron Donalds, and Kristi Noem. When questioned if they were all on his shortlist, Trump affirmed, stating, “They are… honestly all of those people are good. They’re all good, they’re all solid.”
As the 2024 election approaches, speculation rises over Trump’s choice of running mate. While presidential candidates typically announce their picks in the days leading up to party conventions, the current political landscape sees potential candidates vying for attention during what experts like Christopher Devine, an associate professor of political science, refer to as “veepstakes season.” Despite expectations for Trump to make a decision in the summer, CPAC provides a platform for aspirants to showcase themselves for the vice presidential role.
