Editor’s note: This is the fifth article in a row. Series of profiles Donald Trump’s potential running mate on the 2024 Republican Party ticket
The race to decide who will be Donald Trump’s His running mate for November’s US presidential primary, Joe Biden, took a major step forward last week by accelerating vetting of several potential candidates, but political insiders with intimate knowledge of the presidential campaign say there is one potential name on the former president’s shortlist that Democrats “fear” the most.
Trump’s campaign just started The next step in the running mate search By requesting documents from several potential contenders, including Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who has become a staunch ally of the former president since running against him in the 2016 Republican presidential primaries.
“Rubio is a familiar face who has become one of the strongest voices in the Senate for the America First agenda, is great on TV and can effectively rebuke Biden for his failed policies,” a top GOP strategist told Fox News Digital.
From left to right: Ohio Senator JD Vance, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. (Getty Images)
“Trump is doing very well among Latino voters, and Rubio’s addition will only strengthen that, which could signal the end for Biden,” he said, adding that “Rubio would be a solid, safe choice with a lot of potential.”
GOP strategist Matt Vocking, who served as deputy communications director for Trump’s party, said he is “a person who could never succeed in his life in any way he could.” 2020 presidential campaigndescribed Rubio as “an effective, disciplined communicator who rarely makes mistakes.”
He said Rubio is the only person who speaks a second language and that his ability to speak Spanish would help the Trump campaign succeed. Hispanic Voters Several states where this could increase their competitiveness include Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Virginia, New York, and Florida.
“While demonstrating his ability to win a slightly higher percentage of white voters in Florida in 2022 than Trump did in 2020, he also appeals to suburban and independent voters who will be crucial to Trump’s success, and he is the only contender from a true battleground state,” Vocking said.
He cited an article in May that said, “Trump would balance his ticket by selecting Rubio for vice president, which cannot be said for some of the other choices. These are the reasons many Democrats fear Rubio the most.” Vanity Fair article Some of these concerns have received specific attention.
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) speaks to his supporters during an election night party on November 8, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Saul Martinez/Getty Images)
Vocking said Rubio’s experience as leader of the Senate Intelligence Committee would be “valuable” to Trump in “reining in rogue agencies.”
A source close to Trump’s campaign echoed the other two, saying Rubio’s Latino heritage would enhance the campaign’s ability to connect with Hispanic voters, but also noted some drawbacks to Rubio’s potential selection.
“I’m not sure he’s 100% pro-Trump. What I would say is that he hasn’t always been that enthusiastic about Trump. I think that’s one area that might bother Trump supporters a little bit. That could be an issue,” the source said.
They were noting Rubio’s past criticisms of Trump, including calling him “reckless and dangerous” when he ran against him in 2016, and saying the former president was “responsible for everything that happened” during the election. January 6 protests at the US Capitol.
“The other thing is whether Rubio is the right person to lead the Republican Party in 2028 and beyond,” the source said. “I think he’s a good guy. Don’t get me wrong. I think he’s been a great senator and very influential. I think he could be a better vice president, but that makes me think about him as a potential candidate and also whether he’s a loyal follower of Trump.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump listens to a speech by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) during a rally at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition on November 6, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Though Volking said none of the drawbacks to Rubio’s selection were “particularly major,” he did say that “on foreign policy, he’s more hawkish than Trump.”
He also expressed concern that 12th Amendment to the ConstitutionWhich prohibits electors from voting for the president and vice president if they are residents of the same state. Rubio and Trump are both residents of Florida.
“It will probably be more of a speedbuster rather than an actual obstacle to them getting a ticket,” Vocking said.
A source familiar with Rubio pointed to Fox’s positive performance in states like Virginia and Minnesota during his tenure as senator. 2016 primary campaignThis suggests that his selection could give a boost to Trump in states that are now seen as potential targets for Republicans.
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The source also cited Rubio’s legislative track record, his debate performances during his two Senate re-elections since running for president, his communication skills, as well as his ability to “energize a crowd” as factors that would make him a good candidate for the Republican ticket.
Several other big names have also been named to join Trump on the Republican ticket, including House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.
Left to right: House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and South Carolina Governor Tim Scott. All have been floated as potential vice presidential candidates for former President Donald Trump. (Getty Images)
Trump has suggested he will likely wait until July. Republican National Convention To name your pick in Milwaukee.
Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
