The pool of potential vice presidential candidates for former President Donald Trump seems to be narrowing as his legal troubles increase, making his choice even more urgent and significant.
Political scientist Susan MacManus from Florida told The Epoch Times, âItâll be the most important VP selection weâve had in recent history.â
While traditionally the vice presidential running mate has little impact on votersâ decisions for the top of the ticket, this yearâs unique circumstances are causing concern for the former president, his potential running mate, and American voters.
The former president has indicated that he will likely announce his running mate at the Republican National Convention. However, with the possibility of imprisonment looming before the convention, he may need to make the announcement sooner, according to Ms. MacManus.
His sentencing for a 34-count conviction is scheduled for July 11 in New York, just four days before the start of the Republican convention in Milwaukee, where he is expected to be officially declared the 2024 presidential nominee.
Yale University law professor Jed Rubenfeld mentioned that while many believe the former president will receive probation from New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, there is still a chance of imprisonment.
The former president is facing a potential four-year prison sentence for each of the 34 charges, totaling 136 years. Mr. Rubenfeld mentioned that it is unlikely the judge would impose the maximum sentence and could consider alternatives like house arrest or probation.
If the former president is unable to attend the convention due to his legal issues, a vice presidential candidate will still need to be selected, and that person will face intense scrutiny, according to Ms. MacManus.
VP Is Key for Both Trump and Biden
Alongside the former presidentâs legal challenges, voters are also considering the advanced ages of the two presumed nominees, which has heightened the importance of the vice presidential choice. President Joe Biden, 81, is the oldest sitting U.S. president, while his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, is 59.
Most people anticipate that Democrats will choose BidenâHarris as their ticket for the election. However, there is speculation that a last-minute replacement could be named at the partyâs convention in Chicago from Aug. 19â22, or even afterward.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris arrive to speak at a campaign event in Philadelphia on May 29, 2024. (Mandel NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Former President Trump celebrated his 78th birthday on June 14. The potential running mates he is considering range from their late 30s to their late 60s, with several candidates in their 50s.
All three presidential candidates and their supporters are pushing back against the idea that younger candidates would be better suited to handle the demands of the presidency.
A Mystery Choice?
Shortly after his conviction, the former president publicly named a few potential VP candidates, diverting attention from his legal troubles that had dominated the news cycle for weeks.
While other names in circulation, political insiders suggest that the presumed Republican nominee might be secretly considering some personal favorites.
His public announcements and potential leaks to the media are likely trial balloons to gauge public reaction and media coverage of potential VP picks, according to political insiders.
One insider mentioned that the former president might choose âsomeone no oneâs ever thought of,â adding, âThat would be âso Trump.ââ
His choice for VP in 2016, then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, was somewhat unexpected; Trump named him just three days before the Republican convention. Mr. Pence, an evangelical Christian, is credited with attracting that voting bloc to the TrumpâPence ticket.
Mr. Pence later became a political opponent in the Republican primary but withdrew from the presidential nominee race in October 2023.
As the former president embarks on his third presidential run, his campaign emphasizes that he has complete authority over his VP selection.
President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence arrive for a campaign rally at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport in Newport News, Va., on Sept. 25, 2020. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Amid the recent speculation about potential VPs, Brian Hughes, senior adviser for the Trump campaign, released a statement to The Epoch Times.
Six ContendersâAnd a Few More
While numerous names have been circulating in recent months, the former president listed six potential VP picks during an interview with Newsmax on June 4.
The shortlist includes Senators Tim Scott of South Carolina, Marco Rubio of Florida, and J.D. Vance of Ohio; Governors Doug Burgum of North Dakota and Ron DeSantis of Florida; and Dr. Ben Carson, a medical doctor who served as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development during the Trump administration.
Five of the six candidates have previously run for president, with Mr. Vance being the exception. They have all been vocal in their support of the former president during his legal challenges. Most of them also attended his trial in New York to show solidarity as the case approached its conclusion.
Ohio biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, and former Democratic Hawaii congresswoman and presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard were initially on the list but seem to have fallen out of consideration.
Senator Scott is the only candidate mentioned by President Trump in both public lists of potential VPs.
President Trump praised Senator Scottâs unwavering support on Newsmax, stating that his performance as a Trump surrogate surpassed his efforts during the 2024 presidential race. Senator Scott suspended his campaign in November 2023.
While Senator Scott and the former president refrained from attacking each other while Scott was still in the race, their apparent mutual respect sets him apart from the other potential VP contenders, according to insiders.
In contrast, Governor DeSantis and another Republican rival, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, engaged in heated exchanges with the former president before dropping out of the presidential race earlier this year.
According to the poll, 23 percent of Democrat voters would be more inclined to vote for President Trump if Senator Scott were his running mate. Senator Scott also led the group of potential VPs in attracting non-white voters.
Among the contenders, Mr. Ramaswamy would have the most impact on GOP voters, with 32 percent indicating they would be more likely to vote for the former president if Mr. Ramaswamy were his running mate.
However, more than half of the voters surveyed stated that the VP choice would not affect their decision on who to vote for.
Shortlist May Have Shortcomings
Mark Caleb Smith, director of the Center for Political Studies at Cedarville University in Ohio, pointed out potential shortcomings in the former presidentâs recent shortlist.
âNone of them would help Trump win a swing state (like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, or Wisconsin),â Mr. Smith mentioned in an email to The Epoch Times. These states are considered battlegrounds where either President Biden or former President Trump could secure a victory.
