Florida – As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Republican and independent voters who lean Republican are showing a clear preference for who they want as Donald Trump’s vice-presidential running mate.
Governor DeSantis for VP
According to a recent Economist/YouGov poll, 41% of Republicans and 40% of independents who lean Republican favor Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for the VP slot. This support places him well ahead of other potential candidates, including Florida U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, who received 27% support from the same demographic.
Governor Ron DeSantis, despite his strong performance in polls, has repeatedly expressed that he is not interested in the role of Vice President. His focus remains on his gubernatorial duties and state issues, rather than aiming for a White House office in a potential Trump second term.
Speculation and Political Maneuvering
The VP candidacy speculation began heating up after Trump, following his dominant performance in the primary races, became the presumptive Republican nominee. Among those rumored to be considered were not only DeSantis and Rubio but also a roster of influential Republicans from various sectors.
Names like Florida Representative Byron Donalds, New York Representative Elise Stefanik, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and former House Democrat Tulsi Gabbard have been floated around.
In a move that sparked extensive media and public speculation, Trump confirmed earlier this year that DeSantis, along with Noem, Scott, Donalds, Ramaswamy, and Gabbard, were indeed on his shortlist for the vice-presidential pick. This confirmation was seen as a strategic effort to unify various factions within the Republican Party and ensure a robust campaign capable of leveraging a broad base of support, including significant financial backers.
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A Pivotal Meeting
Adding to the fervor of speculation was a reported meeting between Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis in Miami. The Washington Post, citing anonymous sources, described this encounter as a strategic discussion about potential collaboration ahead of the general election. This meeting, the first since DeSantis’ withdrawal from the Republican primaries, highlighted the potential for a powerful alliance, despite past competition between the two high-profile Republicans.
After a less-than-stellar performance in the Iowa primaries, DeSantis officially ended his presidential campaign in January and subsequently endorsed Trump. This endorsement, coupled with Trump’s acknowledgment of DeSantis on his VP shortlist during a February interview with Fox News, has led to increased conjecture about DeSantis’ future political role and his potential impact on the 2024 election.
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As the election nears, the focus on DeSantis’ possible vice-presidential candidacy reflects significant interest in his policies and leadership style, which many voters believe could complement Trump’s agenda and enhance the Republican ticket’s appeal to a broad segment of American voters. Despite his disinterest in the position, the support from the party base is a strong indicator of his influence and popularity within the party.
