NEW YORK, July 6 (UPI) — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is expected to announce his running mate next week, a campaign insider reportedly said Tuesday.
For weeks, observers have speculated as to who the New York billionaire might select to balance the Republican presidential ticket. That speculation continues, but a Trump campaign official told CNN Tuesday that whoever gets the nod will be revealed in a matter of days.
Among the potential vice presidential candidates who have been discussed so far are former GOP rival and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former congressman and House Speaker Newt Gingrich, conservative Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker and Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst.
With the Republican National Convention opening in Cleveland on July 18, Trump’s camp wants ample time for voters to become familiar with his vice presidential choice, whoever it is.
Monday, Trump posted a tweet that some have interpreted as a possible indication that Ernst could be the pick.
“It was great spending time with Joni Ernst yesterday. She has done a fantastic job for the people of Iowa and [the] U.S. will see her again!” Trump’s tweet read.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus and campaign chairman Paul Manafort also attended the meeting with Ernst, CNN’s report said, during which the GOP officials asked the junior senator whether she was interested in being vetted for the V.P. post.
One of the main questions from observers and analysts is whether the brash billionaire will choose an outspoken politician like himself to fill out the ticket, or whether he will tap a candidate who will serve as a counter balance.
“It’s really going to come down to the personal relationship that [the V.P. candidate] and Mr. Trump could have to find out if they could work well together,” former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski said.
Some news reports say Pence is a popular choice among managers of Trump’s campaign.
“I am a Mike Pence guy,” former Trump adviser Michael Caputo said. “First of all, he puts away some of the problems we have with the conservatives in the party who fear that Donald Trump is too moderate on certain policy issues.”
