The race is on: Here’s what Trump is looking for in possible running mate

Cami Mondeaux

March 16, 08:44 AM March 16, 08:44 AM

The presidential primaries are just under a year away, and the list of possible candidates is far from settled. Still, former President Donald Trump is already eyeing options for his possible running mate.

Several Republicans are already positioning themselves as contenders to run alongside Trump, who has emerged as an early front-runner, while other party members mull a White House bid. The fight for the No. 2 position is a break from the typical primary process, as candidates usually announce a presidential bid for themselves before jockeying as one’s running mate.

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“A lot of people are right now auditioning,” Trump told supporters at a campaign rally in Florida last month.

High-profile conservatives are flocking to Trump’s side as he kicks off his campaign, including lawmakers such as Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who went to cheer on Trump’s speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference earlier this month.

However, spokespeople for the former president say a vice presidential search is not under discussion.

“We appreciate all support for President Trump, but the clear focus is on making sure that he wins the Republican nomination and is well posited to win the general election in 2024,” said longtime Trump adviser Jason Miller, according to the .

Still, Trump has frequently talked about options for his running mate — even before he launched his campaign in November. And the former president has a list of traits he’s searching for in a partner.

First and foremost, Trump is looking for someone who is loyal and will back his plans. This comes after Trump felt somewhat betrayed by former Vice President Mike Pence when he refused to decertify the results of the 2020 election at Trump’s request.

Trump has criticized Pence for that decision, even going so far as to say that his former running mate was to blame for the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.

“Had he sent the votes back to the legislatures, they wouldn’t have had a problem with Jan. 6, so in many ways, you can blame him,” Trump told reporters in Davenport, Iowa, on Monday. “Had he sent them back to Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, the states, I believe ... you would have had a different outcome. But I also believe you wouldn’t have had 'Jan. 6,' as we call it.”

Trump is also reportedly considering choosing a female running mate this time around, especially one who has garnered enough star power within conservative circles. Still, the former president has indicated reluctance to choose someone who could overpower him on the campaign trail — which could rule out firebrand members of his party such as Greene or Kari Lake, who ran for governor in Arizona last year.

Trump is likely to choose someone who more closely mirrors his personality — marking a shift in strategy from 2016 when he chose Pence, who, in many ways, stood in stark contrast to Trump’s demeanor.

“I think the president learned a lot from his experience with Pence,” Trump adviser Michael Caputo said. “I think this time Trump’s going to be looking for someone cut from the same cloth he is, not from a different, complementary cloth.”

Trump reportedly has a long list of choices he is considering as a possible running mate, which includes former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC). Haley has already launched her own presidential bid, and Scott is considering one.

Regardless, Trump said he feels confident in his options.

“We’re going to have a lot of great choices for vice president,” Trump said earlier this week. “We’re gonna pick a great one.”