Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of profiles of possible vice presidential candidates for 2024 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Political insiders have described the names on former President Trump’s shortlist to be his running mate as “strongmen” who could significantly improve Trump’s chances of retaking the White House.
The race to be President Trump’s running mate continues this week, with names widely believed to be on the shortlist being floated in various media outlets and at public events praising the former president, including House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York, who some say has the “charm” to be a suitable running mate.
“Stefanik’s position as the fourth-highest ranking member of House leadership gives her valuable insight into navigating a Congress that President Trump is notoriously unfamiliar with and which has historically been fertile ground for vice presidential nominees,” Republican strategist Erin Palin told Fox News Digital.
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From left to right: House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and South Carolina Governor Tim Scott, all of whom are running as former President Donald Trump’s running mate. (Getty Images)
Palin praised Stefanik as a “master fundraiser” who could bolster the campaign’s financial position toward the end of the race and argued her loyalty to the former president could help strengthen unity within the Republican Party.
“Ms. Stefanik will soften the Democratic Party’s attacks on women’s issues,” she said, alluding to Democrats’ efforts to make abortion a central element of their campaign. “Her selection will bring a youthful, dynamic image to the Republican Party and help strengthen its nomination process.”
“Stefanik has built a reputation as a force to be reckoned with in committee hearings, most recently in her questioning of a university president. These strengths enhance her credibility and effectiveness as an activist,” she added.
Republican strategist David Polyansky agreed, noting that Stefanik has led many important battles during her tenure as House speaker despite confusion over the speaker’s role.
“She’s done a very effective job of raising her own profile, which is difficult not only in the House but also from the House leadership standpoint,” he said, “and I think she’s appealing to a big donor base that can be hesitant in terms of how much money they’re willing to put into it.”
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“I think a female vice presidential candidate would be attractive to the party, to donors and from a narrative standpoint. Gender aside, I think she would be really valuable to Trump because she’s a very strong conservative leader,” he added.
A source close to the Trump campaign said that having Stefanik be a woman was a “real plus” and that having her be a “loyal supporter” was a “really big thing” for the former president.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., Chair of the House Republican Conference, speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol honoring law enforcement as part of Police Week, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“I think she’ll be a very interesting choice. I think she’ll be very effective on the campaign trail. I think she’ll be a positive addition to the campaign,” the source said.
Democratic strategist Eric Koch offered a more critical view of Stefanik’s strengths as a Republican candidate.
“The positives that Elise Stefanik brings to the Trump campaign are clear: she will say and do anything, no matter how stupid, ridiculous or embarrassing, to protect Donald Trump,” he said.
“For her, literally anything despicable is a no-go. And these are qualities Donald Trump not only needs but demands in his vice president. Stefanik will be willing to degrade herself in any way possible to support Trump.”
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Koch cited two flaws in Stefanik’s selection, besides the usual criticism from the party that she is “super MAGA,” that she “has almost no track record” and that she “breaks down in debates and interviews” when pressed on topics.
Such an instance occurred last week on Fox News, when Stefanik was confronted by host Shannon Bream about a New York Times report that questioned her longtime loyalty to Trump.
Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York walks through the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
“If Trump was trying to win over centrist voters, he could hardly have picked a more inappropriate person than Stefanik, who supports the most extreme wing of House Republicans,” Koch said.
Palin said that like Koch, liberal media and those on the left would likely label her a “MAGA extremist,” but noted that her selection would have a “limited impact” on the electoral map, given that she’s from heavily Democratic New York.
“Losing a leadership role in the House could disrupt Republican unity,” Perin added.
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Polyansky argued that elevating a congressman to first in line to the presidency was “a bit of a stretch” and that his name recognition could be an issue.
“She’s not well known even among the Republican base, so I’m not sure she’ll have a huge impact that will have a big impact on Trump. I’m not sure she’ll necessarily have an impact on Trump.”
A source close to the Trump campaign acknowledged it would be “tough” for Stefanik to significantly boost her support through name recognition alone, but said she could increase her profile over time.
Stefanik’s office declined to comment on the matter, but a source close to her told Fox that her success in flipping and holding onto once-Democrat-held districts in New York state is part of her appeal compared to other candidates on Trump’s shortlist.
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Sources said Stefanik has more experience in Congress than Vice President Kamala Harris and, if elected, could have an immediate impact on the implementation of Trump’s legislative agenda.
As a young mother, she also strongly supports a ban on IVF and abortion at 15 weeks, rather than the six-week ban promoted by other Republicans, which she argues would be in direct opposition to the Democratic Party’s pro-abortion stance.
From left to right: Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders, and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. (Getty Images)
Other big names being floated as possible candidates to join Trump on the Republican ticket include Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, Gov. Sarah Sanders of Arkansas, Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota, Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.
Trump has spent much of this week sitting down. Stand trial in a New York City courtroom While Biden and Harris are free to campaign, Trump is still considering choosing his running mate, and he 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.
