Sen. JD Vance’s (R-Ohio) surprising appearance at a Manhattan courthouse to support former President Trump, as well as his cautious response about supporting the results of the 2024 election, indicate that he is challenging Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) as the Senate front-runner to be Trump’s running mate in the fall.
Although it’s challenging to predict Trump’s choice, Republican senators and strategists view Scott and Vance as the two most likely candidates within the Senate Republican Conference.
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Vance and Scott are increasing their efforts to capture Trump’s attention by remaining close to him and demonstrating their abilities and dedication.
Vance appeared in Lower Manhattan on Monday to criticize District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s (D) prosecution of Trump as politically motivated, calling the judge’s handling of the trial a “disgrace.”
He told Fox News reporter Martha MacCallum on Tuesday that he was there “to support a friend,” describing it as a “very depressing way to spend five, six weeks of your life when you know you’re innocent.”
He will also join Trump for an intimate, high-dollar event in Cincinnati on Wednesday. The event encourages guests to contribute $50,000 each to a joint fundraising committee.
Scott, meanwhile, was set to attend a high-dollar fundraiser event for Trump in Manhattan on Tuesday, with tickets costing $100,000, a photo, and a seat in the VIP area costing over $900,000.
Scott will host a policy summit in Washington next month with major donors and power players such as Ken Griffin, the founder and CEO of Citadel Investment Group; Bill Ackman, the founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management; Marc Rowan, the CEO of Apollo Global Management; and Tim Dunn, the founder of CrownQuest.
Scott is popular with Senate Republicans, and some are asking Trump to broaden his ticket to appeal to black and Hispanic voters who are dissatisfied with President Biden’s economic performance.
However, Vance has been more effective in creating awareness than Scott, whose presidential campaign failed to generate much excitement despite extravagant money, including a $40 million ad purchase from an affiliated superPAC.
“Those two seem to be the most prominent candidates,” Republican strategist Vin Weber said of Scott and Vance, at least among Washington Republicans.
“From what I’ve heard, Donald Trump is really interested in increasing his proportion of the black vote. He dislikes the fact that many on the left have frequently dubbed him a racist. He believes he has the potential to boost her share of the black vote. So most individuals I talk to say, ‘Probably Tim Scott,'” he explained.
However, Weber argued that Vance’s excellent persuasion skills—which he demonstrated by organizing Senate opposition to Ukraine war financing—should not rule him out as a potential running mate.
“I think J.D. Vance is a great communicator,” he stated. “If Trump wants someone on the ticket who can communicate his message particularly well—not just, ‘Yay, rah rah Trump,’ but, ‘This is why you should be for him’—I think JD Vance is better.”
Trump supporters claim the former president will conduct his vice presidential selection process like an episode of “The Apprentice.” Right now, Vance and Scott are sparring, separating the Senate GOP caucus into two opposing camps.
Rumors also suggest that Trump is considering Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as a potential vice presidential candidate, but the fact that he hails from Florida complicates matters. On Tuesday, he planned to attend Trump’s fundraiser in New York.
Senate Republican Whip John Thune (S.D.) and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) have endorsed Scott’s presidential campaign against Trump, and many others in the GOP conference have praised him, citing his unique life story and ability to appeal to black and moderate Republicans.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who is competing with Thune for the next Senate GOP leader, said Tuesday that presidential candidates typically select a running partner who can bring new voters to the campaign.
“Looking back, I believe he chose [former Vice President] Mike Pence to appeal to a broader cross-section of people, which is typical of presidents. But obviously, one individual will be making that decision, and we don’t know what he’s thinking,” he explained.
“A lot of these people are my friends and colleagues, so I wish them the best of luck,” Cornyn added, failing to indicate support for either senator.
One Republican senator, who wanted anonymity to discuss the vice presidential contest without upsetting any colleagues’ egos, suggested that Scott would be the best candidate.
“Two white men on the Republican ticket in 2024 is a bad idea when you have really good alternatives,” the senator stated. “I think Tim is No. 1—NNo. 1, 2, and 3.”
Vance’s profile increased when he emerged this year as a strong opponent of funding the Ukrainian war, earning praise even from his Republican opponents for being the most outspoken voice among conservatives seeking to terminate US involvement in the conflict.
He collaborated extensively with a group of conservative allies, including Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), to undermine the bipartisan border security agreement that was tied to Ukraine financing.
Vance accused Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) of being out of touch with Republican voters on the war, as part of a barrage of conservative attacks on the leader that came before his announcement that he would stand down as GOP leader at the end of the year.
Matt Dole, an Ohio-based Republican strategist, said Vance is “certainly seeking out the spotlight,” adding that he just visited Mar-a-Lago, attended the trial, and is throwing a fundraiser with Trump in Ohio.
“He’s getting that face time with the president,” he stated. “Certainly, the timing indicates he is interested and wants to get on the radar.”
Dole stated that Vance was “not always a Trump guy” and supported former Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s (R) presidential candidacy in 2016, but “came around on the president and appreciated what President Trump achieved while he was in office.”
He highlighted Vance’s life narrative, as told in his work “Hillbilly Elegy,” about growing up in Appalachian poverty before joining the Marines and then entering Yale Law School.
“He offers an outsider’s perspective on the ticket. Clearly, Trump is an outsider. Vance’s story is different. Dole described it as “pulling yourself up by the bootstraps and showing that the American Dream is still alive,” which may appeal to many people.
Vance, speaking to reporters in New York, denied that he is auditioning to be Trump’s running mate. But that hasn’t stopped conjecture about his intentions.
Scott’s Senate allies like to highlight his incredible life story, which began in a destitute single-parent household in North Charleston and led to him becoming the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee.
According to Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Scott has a higher national reputation than Vance and may appeal to a wider range of voters.
“I think Tim, certainly,” he answered when asked who would be the better vice presidential candidate.
“Tim has probably a broader appeal to the general election voting demographic,” he stated. “Tim’s just got a little bigger profile; he’s been around longer.”
Scott, as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, was instrumental in developing the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Trump’s most significant legislative accomplishment.
Scott’s allies assert that if he wins the vice presidential election, his legislative background in the Senate will assist Trump in advancing his agenda through Congress.
Cramer also emphasized Scott’s unique background as a black Republican who has achieved the American dream.
“His tale is remarkable. His story of accomplishment from poor beginnings is incredibly compelling. It’s really emotional and very real.” And he’s an exceptional person,” he added. “He could definitely be president if necessary.”
However, Cramer pointed out that despite just serving a few years in the Senate, then-Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) won the Democratic primary and subsequently became president in 2008, owing to his oratorical ability and youthful vigor.
“I think a little more time makes us all better, a little more experience in this town, in this institution,” he stated. “He’s young. He hasn’t put in the time or preparation. On the other hand, Barack Obama served two years in the Senate before winning the presidency.
