While most of the country is speculating whether Trump will tap Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to be his running mate in 2024 sources say that Trump is considering someone else altogether. The former president has dropped numerous hints he plans to run for president in the next election but now sources say he’s considering asking House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik to join him on the ticket.
Mediaite reports:
Conversations about adding Stefanik to a future Trump ticket have gained steam in recent weeks at Mar-a-Lago and in other Republican circles, sources said. Current and former advisers and others in Trump’s orbit have privately argued that the New York Republican, who replaced Rep. Liz Cheney as the no. 3 House Republican last year, is a fierce and loyal attack dog, and Trump would benefit from tapping a woman for vice president should he run again.
Two people familiar with the matter said Trump has been surveying close friends and allies on what they think of Stefanik, one of several Republican women he is possibly eyeing for the potential VP slot, though he has not ruled out a few male contenders, too.
One source told CNN Trump believes Stefanik has pivoted from moderate to “America First” conservative. Another source said Trump finds the idea of adding a female to a potential ticket attractive to his potential re-election prospects.
“There is a part of Trump who thinks he needs a female VP. He definitely likes her, likely because of how effusive she is to him,” the person said.
Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy also reportedly told CNN, “President Trump thinks very highly of Elise Stefanik… She has been talked about in circles close to him as a potential vice presidential. And there’s a feeling among a lot of people on the Republican side that they need to have a woman on the ticket this time.”
Stefanik hasn’t commented on speculation she’s being considered to be Trump’s running mate, instead, she has centered her focus on helping Republicans take back control of the House of Representatives this November.
