Former President Donald Trump has been fielding questions about who's on the shortlist to be his vice president and the qualities he's looking for in a running mate, even though the Republican National Convention is still months away. Sources close to the Trump campaign say Trump is likely to make the announcement closer to the convention, similar to 2016, when he announced days before the convention that then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence would be his running mate.
But the search is underway, according to Trump advisers, and some of the names that are coming up most consistently have been on his list for months: Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
However, the former president may be starting to winnow his list.
Sources say South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem — whom Trump once said he was considering for the job — has fallen off the list of top contenders.
Noem's recent actions have sparked controversy as revealed in excerpts from her latest book, "No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward," where she admitted to shooting her 14-month old dog Cricket after the dog failed in pheasant hunting training.
In response to the backlash, Noem took to Twitter to defend her actions, citing a South Dakota law that permits putting down dogs displaying aggressive behavior. "Given Cricket's history of biting people, I made the decision I did," Noem explained.
While the Trump campaign has remained silent on the matter, a Trump adviser familiar with the vice presidential vetting process described Noem as a "valuable advocate."
Having been an early supporter of Trump, endorsing him at a rally last September, Noem actively campaigned for him in Iowa leading up to the January caucuses. In an interview with Newsmax, she expressed willingness to accept the vice presidential nomination "without hesitation." Additionally, Noem maintains strong connections within the MAGA sphere and with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski.
Also sliding down on the ranking is former Trump administration official and Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders. Insider sources reveal that her standing has diminished due to Trump's recollection of her delayed endorsement during the primary campaign. Sanders officially declared her support for Trump at a campaign event in Hialeah, Florida, in November 2023 - a full year after his third White House bid launch.
Sanders, aged 41, holds the distinction of being the youngest governor in the nation and is viewed as a rising star within the party, particularly appealing to suburban women. She notably delivered the Republican rebuttal to President Biden's State of the Union address last year.
Despite her political prowess, Sanders has rebuffed the notion of assuming the role of vice president. In response to a query from "Face the Nation" host Margaret Brennan regarding the possibility of being Trump's running mate, Governor Sanders responded, "I am committed to my role as governor, and I aspire to continue in this position for the next seven years."
Sources in close proximity to the former president have highlighted Senator Scott as a leading candidate for the vice-presidential slot.
The Republican senator from South Carolina has evaded inquiries about a potential joint ticket with Trump. However, he promptly backed Trump following the suspension of his own presidential campaign just before the New Hampshire primary, dealing a blow to fellow South Carolinian and former Governor Nikki Haley, who had initially appointed him to the vacant U.S. Senate position he presently holds.
Trump has commended Scott as a "man of faith, courage and conviction, a man who fought for those opportunities zones like nobody would ever fight and school choice and also taking care of the historically Black colleges."
Scott, the highest-ranking Black Republican in the GOP, could help Trump court Black voters, traditionally a key Democratic voting bloc.
Scott shared with "CBS Mornings" in January that he would never ask for a cabinet position from Trump, but declined to answer whether he wants to serve as Trump's vice president.
"The one thing I want to do is make sure we win in 2024," he told anchor Gayle King. "I don't think about this from a personal perspective."
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum — another former 2024 presidential candidate — is also seen as a potential VP pick by the Trump campaign. Burgum was the first of the former 2024 presidential candidates to officially endorse Trump, joining him for a rally in Indianola, Iowa, on Jan. 14, the eve of the Iowa caucuses, to announce his support.
The Trump team likes Burgum, who refrained from saying anything negative about the former president during his own presidential candidacy.
"Everybody loves Burgum," one top Trump adviser said about the North Dakota governor, but added that Trump was the one who would ultimately choose. "We could learn about it in a Truth Social post," the adviser said.
Burgum is viewed as a staunch conservative with the qualifications that could make him a suitable candidate for various cabinet positions. Trump has praised him as "one of the best governors in our country."
During his time as governor, Burgum approved a six-week abortion ban and laws to limit transgender rights. He is known for being fiscally conservative, having reduced state spending while implementing the largest tax cut in North Dakota's history. Serving as North Dakota's governor since 2016, Burgum declared in January that he would not run for a third term.
Rubio, the senior senator from Florida and a former 2016 presidential competitor to Trump, is also being considered. Coming from a background of Cuban immigrants, he is seen as someone who could assist the campaign in appealing to Latino voters.
Rubio endorsed Trump the day before the Iowa caucuses in a tweet, and has highlighted his collaboration with Trump on initiatives such as the expanded Child Tax Credit and sanctions on Venezuela and Cuba during Trump's presidency.
Former HUD Secretary Ben Carson, a renowned neurosurgeon and former head of Housing and Urban Development, was one of the longest-serving cabinet members during Trump's term. He is rumored to still be on the shortlist for Vice President. Carson remained loyal to the former president following the events of Jan. 6, when several cabinet members resigned in protest over the Capitol attack.
Carson is considered a reliable choice for vice president due to his popularity among conservatives and Christians. When asked about discussions with Trump regarding the vice presidency, Carson responded, "I don't want to speak about private conversations."
New York Rep. Elise Stefanik stands out as a strong supporter of Trump. As the No. 4 House Republican, she was quick to endorse Trump during his third White House bid.
Stefanik, at thirty-nine years old, is nearly half Trump's age. She is viewed as a potential torchbearer for the MAGA movement initiated by the 77-year-old former president. Stefanik has been a vocal advocate for Trump, notably serving on his impeachment defense team in 2019.
In January, she echoed Trump's description of incarcerated Jan. 6 defendants as "hostages," and she has filed multiple ethics complaints against judges in cases involving Trump. Stefanik was among the 147 Republicans who opposed certifying the 2020 election results.
Sources suggest that Trump sees Stefanik as a possible vice presidential candidate. When questioned about the role, Stefanik expressed to NBC News' "Meet the Press" that she would be "honored to serve in any capacity in a Trump administration."
