Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series of profiles of possible vice presidential candidates for 2024 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Original name suggestions President Trump’s Political insiders have described the shortlist of running mates as an “existential threat” to a constituency seen as key to President Biden’s reelection bid.
The race for Trump’s running mate continues this week, with names widely believed to be on the shortlist being floated in various media outlets defending the former president, who was convicted in a New York City court of 34 counts of falsifying business records.
Among the candidates is Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who some say could shore up the black voters Trump has already gained (who would be devastated if Biden loses them) and “turn them into Republicans for life.”
Insiders predict the “strong” Republican would be a big boost as President Trump’s running mate.
From left, House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and South Carolina Governor Tim Scott are vying to become former President Donald Trump’s running mate. (Getty Images)
“A running mate for Trump who can effectively reach the black voting community would pose an existential threat to the Democratic coalition,” Republican pollster Scott Rasmussen told Fox News Digital, adding that Scott, who is Black, has strong ties to other senators needed to pass Trump’s legislative agenda and is an “effective surrogate” for Trump.
“This adds a lot of value to the campaign and possibly to the administration,” he said. “Judging by his performance last fall, he may not be the strongest debater on the shortlist, but I can’t imagine there would be much negative impact from a debate between Sen. Scott and Biden’s running mate.”
One top Republican strategist told Fox that “this may be the best time in history” for someone like Scott to be Biden’s running mate, given his “serious problems” with black voters.
“Biden has already scared away a sizable chunk of black voters he can’t afford to lose, and Tim Scott could turn them into lifelong Republicans,” the strategist said, noting that Trump has 22% support among black voters with just over five months until Election Day.
“Whenever someone asks me who would be a good running mate, Tim Scott’s name is always at the top of my list. I think he’s a talented politician and an excellent voice for conservative ideals. He brings a youthful, fresh perspective and a different way of speaking that makes conservative ideals understandable to a wide audience.”
Experts reveal major ‘flaw’ in Trump’s VP pick: ‘No surprise element’
From left: former President Donald Trump, Senator Tim Scott (RSC), and President Biden. (Getty Images)
Republican strategist David Polyansky said he doesn’t believe Scott’s being black will have a “meaningful impact” on voters or their voting behavior, but he believes Trump’s historic standing among black voters at this point in the race represents a “real base problem” for Biden.
“I don’t know if this choice will affect that, but they’re already operating under a deficit,” Polyansky said, adding that Scott is a great senator who has “proven himself to be a great communicator.”
“There are some big donors who want him to be their first choice, or at least an option, so from the Trump campaign’s perspective, having someone like him who might empower those big donors is an added benefit,” he said. “So he has a lot of positives. And, of course, I think having a Black person as vice president is very historic for the Republican Party and very significant.”
Not everyone agreed, including one source close to the Trump campaign who told Fox News Digital that the racial aspects of Scott’s selection have been “overblown.”
“It doesn’t matter to me if he’s brown, black, blue, orange, white, female, male, whatever. It doesn’t matter to me,” a source who is a minority told Fox. “I think it’s overblown, especially because Donald Trump has already done a great job of getting all the minority votes, so I don’t think we need to think about it that way anymore.”
Trump’s running mate: South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s pros and cons
Senator Tim Scott (R-Lausanne) participated in the 2023 Independence Day Parade in Merrimack, New Hampshire on July 4th. (Mel Musto/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
While sources praised Scott as someone who “has run the Senate” and said his congressional history would make him “very valuable,” they argued that Trump should rather choose someone who has no interest in running for the White House in the future.
Scott ran against Trump in the Republican presidential primary but dropped out months before the Iowa caucuses.
“Tim is a good guy, but they need someone who will fight for Donald Trump’s policies and not care what the media says about him. I’m not sure that’s Tim,” the source said.
“Don’t elect someone who will run for four years and undo what he did in his first term. [former Vice President Mike] Pence did that… I’m not saying he should or shouldn’t be, I’m just saying I think there are other factors to consider that might lead him not to be.”
A source close to Senator Scott told Fox News Digital that he has been a “prolific” and “monstrous” fundraiser throughout his time as a senator and during his presidential run, especially compared to other candidates being considered as Trump’s running mate.
WATCH: Trump’s VP nominee makes big prediction about Black voters as Biden’s support dwindles
Former President Donald Trump listens to Senator Tim Scott, R-Lausanne, speak during a campaign event in Concord, New Hampshire on January 19. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Sources also pointed to Scott’s close relationship with Trump and his ability to bring potential big-name donors who are skeptical of Trump on board, and said he would try to do so at a major donors summit in Washington, D.C., in June.
He also noted that Trump had previously praised Scott for campaigning more for Trump than for himself.
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Other big names being floated as possible candidates to join Trump on the Republican ticket include House Republican Conference Chairwoman 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 Florida Senator Marco Rubio.
Trump, who spent much of this week on trial in New York City and was found guilty on Thursday, is still considering picking a running mate, and suggested earlier this month that he might wait until the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in July to make a choice.
Get the latest 2024 campaign updates, exclusive interviews and more on Fox News Digital’s Election Hub.
