Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) said in an interview Sunday that he would “certainly consider” serving as former President Donald Trump’s running mate, but for now he is content serving as a senator.
Asked in an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” if he would like to be vice president, Cotton said: “If the president asked me to serve in any capacity in our country, I think I would have to consider it.”
“But I also know that only one person will likely know who is on the president’s shortlist,” Cotton continued. “I believe the president will make a decision about his vice president when he’s ready, and it will be a decision that will be good for the president and his nominees, but more importantly, it will be a decision that will be good for the country.”
Tapper asked Cotton directly whether he would agree to join Trump if he were asked to do so by the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee.
“If the president asks me to serve in any capacity, I would certainly accept,” Cotton said, “but for now, I’m excited to represent the people of Arkansas as a senator, working to elect President Trump and win a majority in Congress and beginning to repair some of the damage that Joe Biden and the Democrats have done over the last four years.”
The interview comes amid growing speculation about who the former president might choose as his running mate.
The New York Times Recently reported Cotton’s name has topped several lists, calling him an “unexpectedly strong contender.” Other contenders include Republican Sens. J.D. Vance (Ohio), Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Tim Scott (S.C.). Former North Dakota governor and 2024 presidential candidate Doug Burgum (R-North Dakota) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-New York) are also frequently mentioned as potential candidates.
Senator Cotton has differed with Trump on several key policy issues, including military aid to Ukraine, which Senator Cotton has long supported, but which Trump recently questioned.
In the interview, Cotton avoided questions about Trump’s recent comments about Ukraine, defended Trump’s tough rhetoric during his presidency as a deterrent to Russian President Putin, and criticized Biden’s policies.
