Former President Trump could hand a golden ticket to whoever he chooses to be his running mate in November, and Republicans who support his goodwill know it.
If Trump wins a second term, his running mate could be in the best position to become the Republican presidential nominee in 2028.
Normally there is an eight-year wait for a vice presidential candidate, but if Mr. Trump is chosen this time, he will overnight become the front-runner for the Republican nomination four years from now.
Alex Conant, who worked on Sen. Marco Rubio's (R-Fla.) 2016 presidential campaign, said, “No matter who he chooses to be his vice president, he could be the presumptive front-runner in four years.'' “This is a more serious problem than usual in that there is.” motion.
The vice president's nomination could be seen as a successor to the MAGA movement that almost completely took over the Republican Party under the Trump administration.
The former president's allies and Republican strategists say Trump is not focused on fielding a potential successor. Instead, he is looking for a loyal running mate (perhaps the most important factor in Trump's choice of support) and someone who can help him defeat President Biden in November.
But everyone involved in jockeying knows this year's decision is of special importance.
“We're seeing a lot of young Republicans aspiring to the role because they see it not just as the vice president, but as a position for 2028,” Conant said. Ta.
Sen. Tim Scott (R.S.C.), one of the Republicans being eyed by President Trump as a running mate, unsuccessfully pursued a run for the White House, but announced his bid last November. , and became a strong candidate to replace the former president.
Mr. Scott, 58 and the only Black Republican in the Senate, has long been considered a candidate for high office by Republican strategists because of his solid fundraising numbers and compelling personal story.
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), another staunch Trump ally who has fueled vice presidential speculation, is only 39 years old and is thought to have the potential to become the future face of the party. It is being Vance told Fox News earlier this month that he has not spoken to President Trump about potentially joining the ticket, but that he intends to cooperate “in any way I can.”
Other candidates who have emerged and are being talked about as the future face of the party include 45-year-old Rep. Byron Donald (R-Fla.). Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (RN.Y.), 39 years old. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Republican), 41 years old. and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem (Republican), 51.
Strategists and Republican insiders have been careful to downplay the extent to which Trump's decisions this year will be influenced by the 2028 race.
“Trump will prioritize loyalty over votes. His team may be thinking about 2028, but his nomination in 2024 will be about who best reflects him.” “I don't think so,” said Dan Everhart, a Republican donor who initially supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), but has since urged the party to unite. Mr. Trump.
“Many people close to Mr. Trump have said he will choose someone who will help him govern, but I'm not convinced that's more strategic than loyalty,” Ever said. Mr. Hart added. “There are many people who have opinions about who Mr. Trump should choose as vice president, but Mr. Trump will be the final arbiter. And his first priority is what that person thinks about Trump.” .”
Mr. Trump and his team have kept details of the vice presidential search largely secret, except that the former president regularly reveals that someone is on his ever-growing “shortlist” of candidates. was.
The former president is likely to wait to announce his selection until closer to the Republican National Convention, scheduled to begin on July 15.
Then-candidate Trump did not announce Mike Pence as his 2016 running mate until mid-July, days before the party's convention.
One Trump ally said the former president is a “master of theatrics” and will likely use the intrigue surrounding his running mate choice to his advantage for as long as possible.
He pointed out that the Trump campaign frequently sends fundraising emails mocking the vice presidential pick to attract donors, and that there is media coverage every time Trump nominates a candidate.
“I think he’s going to make the most of this,” a Trump ally told The Hill. “And the best use of that, right now, is to keep it close to the tournament and keep people on their toes for as long as possible.”
The sit-down game of who President Trump chooses as his running mate and how that will affect the Republican political hierarchy in the coming years is likely to be with then-candidate Joe Biden as a bridge candidate to the presidency. It's somewhat reminiscent of the 2020 Democratic cycle we talked about. Next generation leaders.
At the time, it was unclear whether Biden would run for a second term, and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was seen as a likely candidate as early as 2024.
Instead, Biden has decided to run again, and Harris' polling numbers have been a little weak, leaving some Democrats worried about her strength as a presidential candidate.
Still, no matter what happens in November, there is little doubt that Harris will be the nominee in 2028.
The situation for the Republican Party competing for Trump's nomination is different in that if Trump wins in November, he is certain to become the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination four years from now.
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However, future vice presidential candidates may want to approach the future with some trepidation. Pence's relationship with Trump collapsed during the waning days of Trump's presidency, when the Republican vice president did not support Trump's efforts to overturn the election.
Mr. Pence's break with Mr. Trump ultimately cost him, putting him up against his former boss in the Republican primary.
Those fighting for the second banana on this year's Republican ticket will be hoping for a better fate.
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