WASHINGTON — Republican members of the U.S. Senate seeking a majority in their Senate in the November elections have a wish list of candidates they want to see for Donald Trump’s vice presidency.
“A little quieter” than Trump. Confident. Conservative. Military experience. Good relationships with senators. Ready to take over the reins of government if necessary, they said in interviews with States Newsroom.
Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has not yet announced his choice, but he has made tantalizing compliments about some of the shortlist candidates, generating nonstop headlines about the running mate candidates in the run-up to next month’s Republican National Convention.
So far, Trump has not identified a clear favorite, which has led to ongoing speculation about what qualities he expects from his deputy this time, the person who will co-lead the Republican ticket in what is likely to be a close election.
In 2016, Trump chose Mike Pence of Indiana, in part to win over evangelical Christians who were skeptical of Trump’s moral character.
Trump is seeking a second term because a convicted felon guilty in New York on 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with paying hush money to a porn star before the 2016 election. He also faces federal charges of trying to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election and dumped Pence after his former vice president refused to take part in the plot.
However, this has not reduced the number of Republican representatives and former presidential candidates vying for his candidacy.
Trump’s list of vice presidential candidates reportedly includes North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Arkansas U.S. Senator Tom Cotton, Florida U.S. Representative Byron Donalds, former South Carolina Governor and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Florida U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, South Carolina U.S. Senator Tim Scott, New York U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik, and Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance.
Republican senators, including some who are considered candidates for vice president, met with Trump on June 13 to outline the campaign strategy and demonstrate unity.
Trump card to NBC News On Saturday, his choice will “most likely” be made at the debate with President Joe Biden on Thursday evening in Atlanta.
Trust and a coalition
Several Republican senators, in an interview with States Newsroom, offered suggestions about what qualities Trump might find most helpful as vice president in a possible second term.
West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito said she hopes for a vice presidential candidate who can inspire confidence and bring a broader coalition of Republicans on board.
“I think you want someone who has extensive knowledge, not only nationally but internationally, [you want] “He needs someone with determination and leadership who could well take the reins of the presidency, someone who represents conservative principles on the Republican side and is a proven leader,” Capito said.
“I would imagine that for President Trump, it will be someone who gives him a broader range of voters,” Capito said, adding, “And who is probably a little quieter than he is.”
“Good relationships across the entire spectrum”
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina said Trump would “benefit from someone who, in the right environment, gives a lot of positive feedback and supports the president’s agenda.”
The former and possibly future president would also benefit from a choice who is “well versed in the issues,” and if it is a senator, “a person with good relationships across the spectrum would be helpful,” Tillis said.
“We’re probably going to have a narrow lead, so maybe think of someone who has had good relationships with people in the House in the past, good relationships with the Republican conference. I mean, we’re going to have some difficult votes,” Tillis said.
For example, Congress faces a massive tax law battle next year as several provisions of the 2017 Republican tax law expire. Tillis recalled that the Republicans’ internal debate in 2017 was “no cakewalk.”
“We had to earn the support of Republicans,” Tillis said. “Having someone who naturally has that chemistry, you know, whether you worked on the legislation or you just have a good relationship. If I were in President Trump’s position, that would be a key factor.”
Congress must also address the debt ceiling next year, a debate that will have significant economic consequences both domestically and globally.
A stay in the military
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst – a senior member of the Armed Services Committee and a retired lieutenant colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard – said she “would like to see someone who actually has experience in foreign relations or military policy.”
“I think it would be crucial to have someone who is young and enthusiastic and could also fill the role of our next president,” Ernst said.
Kansas Senator Jerry Moran said Trump may want to choose someone who voters believe can succeed him as leader of the Republican Party.
“I’m not sure the vice presidential nominations have much influence on people’s voting behavior,” Moran said. “But I would say this could be a year where that plays a role – [given the] Age of the candidates. And who might succeed them is probably what people are interested in. And I would say the best qualification is someone who would be a great president.”
Indiana State Senator Mike Braun, who is likely to become the next governor of his home state, said Trump needs someone who thinks like him politically so that there are no disagreements between the two on policy issues and who is also willing to be president if necessary.
“I think it definitely has to be someone who is on the same page politically,” Braun said. “I think I heard him say that he wants someone who is willing to take on the role if necessary. I think the loyalty factor is something he’s always emphasized.”
Alabama Senator Katie Britt said no matter who Trump chooses from his shortlist, Republicans will reclaim the Oval Office in November.
“Every senator on the list is outstanding,” Britt said. “And I look forward to the good things we can do when he’s back in office and we have control of the Senate.”
When Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa was asked about his opinion on Trump’s vice presidential list, he said, “I haven’t seen anyone on the list that I would object to.”
Louisiana Senator John Kennedy said he did not want to comment on specific candidates, but added: “All the names I’ve heard mentioned seem to be good people.”
“But what matters is what President Trump thinks, and I have no idea who he will choose,” Kennedy said.
A sitting senator
Republican senators who spoke to States Newsroom were largely unimpressed by the possibility that a vice presidential nominee could come from their own ranks – even if it would reduce what could be a very narrow majority in the Senate in January.
Capito said the Republican majority would likely be secure even if Trump nominated one of her colleagues as his running mate.
“I think the ones he’s talking about are from fairly Republican states, but that’s always something to worry about,” Capito said. “But I think it would be great if a colleague who was with me in the Senate was our vice president.”
Braun said Trump may want to consider poll results in several key Senate races before choosing his nominee.
“I think that might be worth considering,” said Braun. “That takes that risk off the table.”
When asked whether the Senate’s choice of a vice president could weaken or threaten the Republican majority, Senator Rick Scott of Florida said, “I’m sure Trump will consider that.”
Tillis said he was not concerned that Trump’s choice of vice president would threaten the Republican Senate majority, and he speculated that if elected, Trump might even draw on members of the upper house to select his Cabinet.
“I think the exchange protocol is not a big problem,” Tillis said.
Grassley agreed with Tillis. “Are we talking about Ohio, Florida, South Carolina? That’s all. I don’t think you’d be worried about that,” he said.
Forty-five states require The governor is supposed to appoint someone to fill a vacant seat in the U.S. Senate, and 37 of those states fill the vacancy with the elected candidate until the next statewide election, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.
In the remaining states – Kentucky, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wisconsin – vacant Senate seats must be filled through a special election.
All of Trump’s Senate candidates come from states with Republican governors.
