Donald Trump could have a Black or female running mate by his side as he vies to be the Republican presidential nominee again.
As he looks for advice on a running partner, friends, and allies of the former president are reportedly providing him with the names of primarily women and Black men, according to Reuters.
“Every day, everywhere he goes, it’s, ‘What do you think of this person? What do you think of that person?’” said one close ally, describing the nature of Trump’s phone conversations.
Speaking with Reuters on the condition of anonymity, one ally said having a female or Black man as his running mate would be “helpful” for Trump, who wants to gain ground among both demographics and win over more moderate voters to defeat Democratic President Joe Biden in November’s general election.
Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, and Trump’s former press secretary and current Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders are among the women whose names are high on the list.
Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina and Ben Carson, Trump’s former secretary of housing and urban development, are on the list of Black men.
According to Reuters, Trump claimed at a Fox News town hall in Iowa on Jan. 10 that “I know who it’s going to be” when questioned about a running mate, but allies said he has not made a final decision and has continued making frequent calls to solicit advice since then.
The close Trump ally said the politician wants loyalty and deference in a running mate. “Remember whose name is on the side of the plane,” they added.
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