MILWAUKEE — Former President Trump may select a relatively unknown governor as his running mate, casting aside more-publicized Republican choices, including two from the U.S. Senate.
As delegates gathered in the Fiserv Center, word spread that Mr. Trump dropped a critical clue as to who he’ll pick as his running mate: It won’t be a person whose name has been circulated in the media recently.
Mr. Trump’s hint, made to Fox News, would seem to eliminate a string of short-listed candidates, including Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, J.D. Vance of Ohio and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
But it could mean Mr. Trump will select Virginia Gov. Glen Youngkin as his running mate.
Mr. Youngkin checks off several important requirements. He’s from a near-swing state, as Mr. Trump has been polling within two points of President Biden.
George Lopez, 60, a small-business owner and alternative delegate from Florida, said Mr. Youngkin would be a decent running mate for Mr. Trump.
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“There are a lot of good choices. Glen Youngkin is a good choice. Virginia would be nice to have in the get column, for sure,” he said.
Mr. Youngkin cannot run for a second term as governor and unlike Mr. Vance or Mr. Rubio, he won’t upset the GOP ratio in the Senate, where Republicans are fighting to win back the majority.
Mr. Vance especially would be a risky move for the GOP because it would almost certainly lead to a competitive race to replace him, despite the state’s red tilt.
Mr. Youngkin, 57, is also ten years younger than Mr. Burgum, an important factor now that the public is focused on the age of the two presidential candidates.
Mr. Trump is 78 and cannot run for another term.
Mr. Biden, 81, has been under pressure to withdraw from the ticket to quit the race because of his apparent cognitive decline.
All four potential VP picks are coming to the convention. Mr. Youngkin is slated to speak to delegates on Monday.
Mr. Trump in recent interviews has cited the vice presidential pick as important to helping him win the election, which breaks with his past viewpoint that the pick is irrelevant to his chances of winning.
In this case, Mr. Youngkin could help Mr. Trump win Virginia’s 13 delegates in November.
Mr.Youngkin is a former businessman who took the state by storm in the 2021 election, winning on a platform of parental rights, ending COVID-19 mandates and promoting smaller government.
He was the first Republican to win the state since 2010.
Mr. Lopez said Mr. Trump’s pick could be a complete surprise.
“I think it is in typical Trump fashion. He is escalating it. Last Thursday at the rally in Doral he was saying that it would be Marco [Rubio]. That’s the way to do it — good marketing.”
• Susan Ferrechio can be reached at sferrechio@washingtontimes.com.
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