Noem, Ramaswamy tied for Trump VP pick in CPAC straw poll 

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswami tied for first place among Republican grassroots activists as they preferred former President Trump’s running mate.

When attendees at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) were asked who they thought President Trump should choose as his running mate in 2024, 15% each said Noem and Ramaswamy.

Both have been floated as potential candidates for Trump.

The former president, a leading candidate in the Republican race, acknowledged earlier this week that everyone on the rumored shortlist of candidates is “all solid.”

Saturday’s straw poll put former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard in second place with 9%, ahead of House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R.N.Y.) and Sen. Tim Scott (R.C.). ) followed at 8%.

Rep. Byron Donald (R-Florida) has 7%, Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake has 6%, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Republican) received a high percentage of votes. ) each he earned 5%.

Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, independent presidential candidate Robert K. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley each received the following vote percentages: It was less than 5%.

CPAC’s straw poll is likely to have little impact on who President Trump chooses as his running mate, but the poll’s results could further heighten the conversation about the No. 1 candidate. There is.

Noem, Stefanik and Vance were among the most prominent Republican politicians to attend CPAC, having been floated as the former president’s running mate.

Scott is visiting South Carolina ahead of the state’s Republican primary, where Trump is expected to defeat Haley in his home state. The former president has a 30-point lead, according to The Hill/Decision Desk Headquarters polling index.