MILWAUKEE — Former President Donald Trump considered choosing Sen. Marco Rubio as his running mate Monday before ultimately naming Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate, a source familiar with his considerations told The Washington Post.
Trump campaign staff also confirmed Monday that Vance (R-Ohio), Rubio (R-Fla.) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who have been reported as front-runners for weeks, are the top three candidates.
Trump’s final choice of Vance was in part due to him being unable to overcome the “hurdle” of Rubio’s residency, since both men live in Florida, a source close to the matter said.
“The president couldn’t get past the residency issue because of the legal issues that would inevitably arise. There was just a conversation along the lines of, ‘OK, if it’s an insurmountable hurdle, we understand,'” the source added.
Because Trump and Rubio are from the same state, they could not constitutionally run together unless one of them changed their residence.
Trump announced his choice of Vance as his running mate just hours after the first day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, two days after he was shot by a gunman at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
“We don’t know when he made his decision, but he called (Monday),” a Trump campaign staffer said. “All three candidates are great and the whole slate has been very strong from the get-go.”
“I know that Mr. Vance is obviously a highly respected individual. He has an outstanding record. He is an extremely hard worker and a passionate defender of the President. I have not spoken to the President today about this decision. J.D. Vance’s many outstanding qualities make him the perfect choice,” the staffer added.
Vance is only 39 years old and, if elected alongside Trump in November, would become the second-youngest vice president in US history.
Republicans told The Post they see Trump’s selection of Vance as a way to bolster his movement beyond 2024.
“This selection has one purpose and one goal: to cement Mr. Trump’s political legacy,” a source close to the Republican National Committee said. “This is a passing of the baton. J.D. Vance is now the authorized successor to Mr. Trump as leader of the populist, national conservative movement that has dominated the Republican Party for the past nine years.”
“If Trump and Vance win in November, the Republican nomination battle will be in 2028. It’s inconceivable that VP Vance, as Trump’s successor, wouldn’t clear away any potential opponents. There would be no path for another Republican to defeat him,” the source added.
Republican strategist John Thomas agreed: “With this selection, Trump has doubled down on MAGA’s hopes and simultaneously declared the future of the movement after Trump’s term ends. No one has been a more fervent and articulate defender of Trump and his vision than Senator Vance.”
“As the election draws to a close, Vance will be a powerful attack dog defending Trump in the media,” he added.
