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The Republican presidential primary is still ongoing, but former President Donald Trump has emerged as the clear front-runner, generating speculation about his potential vice presidential nominee. Trump has shown a strong affinity for South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem after she gave him a glowing endorsement.
In an interview, Trump praised Noem, calling her a fantastic governor and expressing his admiration for her endorsement. With his preference for a woman as a running mate, Trump emphasized the importance of selecting the right person for the role.
He acknowledged the significant impact a vice president can have but stressed the ultimate focus should be on the individual who would assume the presidency.
Various names have recently emerged as potential candidates for Trump’s vice presidential nominee.
Roll Call reported that these five Republicans are likely top contenders for the position: South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Arizona Republican Kari Lake, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, and New York Representative Elise Stefanik.
Tim Scott, an African-American senator from South Carolina, is currently a primary candidate against Trump but has refrained from attacking the former president significantly.
Nikki Haley, while critical of Trump in the past, could still be considered due to her previous role as ambassador to the United Nations and experience in foreign policy. Elise Stefanik, a congresswoman from New York, has transformed into a high-profile Trump supporter, a quality that Trump highly values.
Recent surveys have shown a positive trend for Trump, both in terms of polling numbers and performance in critical swing states.
In swing states such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, Trump holds a 41% to 35% lead over Biden, with 24% of voters remaining undecided, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Moreover, Trump also enjoys a slight advantage among independent voters, with 32% favoring him compared to Biden’s 30%. With 38% of independents still undecided, this group holds significant influence.
In a hypothetical head-to-head contest for the 2024 election, Biden and Trump stand at a deadlock with each holding 39% support.
Trump’s strong performance can be attributed to various factors, including concerns about President Biden’s age, the economy, and crime. Echelon Insights’ polling data from July revealed that Trump was leading Biden in several swing states, with 48% of respondents likely to vote for Trump compared to only 41% for Biden.
Although Biden is narrowly favored overall, with 43% of likely voters supporting him compared to 42% for Trump, the swing states could provide Trump with the necessary 270 Electoral College votes for victory. It is worth noting that Trump has consistently outpolled Biden in recent months, with an ABC/Washington Post survey in May showing a 7-point lead for Trump over his Democratic rival.
In summary, the Republican presidential primary is still ongoing, but former President Donald Trump appears to be the front-runner. Speculation surrounding his vice presidential nominee has focused on South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who earned Trump’s admiration with her endorsement.
Other potential candidates include Arizona Republican Kari Lake, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, and New York Representative Elise Stefanik. Recent surveys indicate Trump’s positive momentum with leads in critical swing states and among independent voters.
Despite the deadlock in a hypothetical 2024 head-to-head election against President Biden, Trump’s consistent outpolling in recent months suggests his strong support within the conservative demographic.
