16 Picks for Trump’s Vice President
Governor of New Jersey
The cantankerous governor has endorsed Trump and would bring substantial political experience to the ticket. But Christie wouldn’t help Trump with female and minority voters, and he would bring no geographic diversity to the ticket.
© CHRIS KEANE / Reuters
Senator from Alabama
An early endorser of Trump, Sessions has strong conservative credentials that could help unite the party in November and also help a President Trump navigate the treacherous waters of Washington. But he probably wouldn’t help much with independent and moderate voters.
© Marvin Gentry / Reuters
Governor of South Carolina
This would be Trump's ideal running mate. She is a popular governor who could help repair his image with women. And as an Indian-American, she might also help with minority voters. But Haley has a bright future in politics, and she may decide she is better off running for higher office (perhaps against Hillary Clinton) in 2020.
Former Senator from Virginia
A veteran and Secretary of the Navy under Reagan, Webb can give Trump credibility on national security issues. As a Democrat, Webb could help Trump reach across party lines. Webb recently stated that he prefers Trump over Clinton.
© Yuri Gripas / Reuters
Governor of Florida
Scott comes from an important swing state that could hand Trump the election. Scott also has executive experience as governor of the third-largest state. Scott made a fortune from the health care industry and having two wealthy men on a presidential ticket could be a problem.
© Steve Nesius / Reuters
Senator from Iowa
A retired colonel in the Army National Reserve, Ernst in 2014 became the first female veteran elected to the Senate. She could help Trump with women voters.
© Gary Cameron / Reuters
Senator from Florida
Rubio could help secure establishment Republicans and unite the GOP going into November. Rubio might also appeal to some Hispanics if he can get Trump to moderate his position on immigration.
© Carlo Allegri / Reuters
Governor of Wisconsin
Walker has strong conservative credentials and may be a party unifier. Walker could help with the blue collar voters that Trump will need to win the election. Hailing from a swing state, he might be able to tip the Midwest to Trump.
© Kamil Krzaczynski / Reuters
Conservative writer and speaker
A Trump-Carson ticket would be a true outsider ticket, with neither having held political office. It could excite the base and Carson could help Trump with Christian conservatives.
© Steve Marcus / Reuters
Former presidential candiate
O.K., Trump did make unkind remarks about her looks. But the opportunity to be the next vice president may be an offer Fiornina can't refuse. She could help Trump with women voters, and she would be ferocious as an attack dog against Hillary Clinton. But Fiorina has many negatives. She has never been elected to public office, and her record as CEO of Hewlett-Packard business is complicated at best. Also, even voters eager for change may be wary of a ticket in which neither candidate has ever governed.
REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk
Governor of Ohio
Would he actually do it? He insists he won’t, but stranger things have happened in politics. Kasich would help Trump with the party establishment and could make the difference in the crucial state of Ohio.
© Bryan Woolston / Reuters
Congressional Representative from Arizona
A former Air Force pilot who retired as a colonel, McSally has an impressive military record. She could help Trump on national security and with women.
Flick/Newell Media Group
Former Governor of Alaska
Palin would fire up the Republican base and could help with women voters. But she just signed a sweet deal to to be a TV judge. Why would she want to leave that?
© Kamil Krzaczynski / Reuters
Former Mayor of New York City
It would be a lot of New York for America. But Giuliani is well respected in the Republican party and his hard-nosed political style might be an asset on Capitol Hill.
© Joe Skipper / Reuters
Congressional Representative from Tennessee
Blackburn could help Trump with female voters in the fall. But her contrarian stances on evolution and climate change could hurt the ticket among independent and moderate voters.
© Mike Segar / Reuters
Senator from Texas
Lying Ted. It seems unlikely now, but a Trump-Cruz ticket could solve a contested convention. On the other hand, Cruz is no favorite in the GOP and many Republican voters may end up staying home on Election Day.
© Carlo Allegri / Reuters