Donald Trump hinted that Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin might be added to his list of vice presidential contenders after their first meeting on Thursday. This development comes as recent polls show Trump and President Joe Biden in a dead heat in Virginia, each securing 48% support. Trump and Youngkin discussed what it would take to sway Virginia voters towards the Republican side in the 2024 presidential election.
Virginia has leaned Democratic in recent elections, but the current polling suggests a competitive race, contrasting with Biden’s 10-point lead over Trump in 2020. When asked by a Fox News reporter about the possibility of Youngkin as a VP candidate, Trump praised the governor. “He’s great,” Trump said. “I think I could consider that. Yes. He would be on that list. We had a great meeting about Virginia.”
Although Trump’s comments have sparked speculation, there has been no formal indication from his campaign that they have pursued Youngkin for the vice presidential slot. The meeting itself and Trump’s subsequent remarks do, however, suggest that Youngkin is a figure of interest. The speculation around Youngkin adds to a list of potential VP picks for Trump. His campaign has reportedly contacted several candidates for paperwork, including Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), and former Cabinet member Ben Carson.
Despite Trump’s legal issues, he remains focused on his campaign, continuously engaging with potential running mates to solidify his strategy for the 2024 election. Youngkin’s consideration as a VP candidate highlights Trump’s aim to strengthen his campaign with prominent Republican leaders, potentially reshaping the political landscape ahead of the election. As the campaign progresses, the list of potential vice presidential picks will likely continue to evolve.
