The high-profile jockeying to be named former President Donald Trump’s running mate on the Republican 2024 presidential ticket got a major twist on Sunday.
Sen. J.D. Vance, R-O.H., has solidified himself as the leading contender to be named Trump’s vice presidential candidate after a stunning straw poll victory at a major conservative gathering over the weekend.
The first-term Ohio senator and former Trump critic turned ardent ally dominated a vice presidential straw poll at Turning Point Action’s “People’s Convention” in Detroit. When asked who they favored as Trump’s running mate, a stunning 43 percent of the 1,986 attendees selected Vance.
He easily outpaced the remaining candidates reportedly being vetted by Trump’s team – Sens. Tim Scott of South Carolina, 15.4%, Marco Rubio of Florida, 7.7%, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, 7%.
Turning Point Action founder Charlie Kirk, who conducted the straw poll, hailed the results as underscoring Vance’s strong appeal with the “Midwest Americans” and “blue wall voters” the GOP needs to recapture the White House after 2020’s swing state losses.
“He has consistently been one of President Trump’s most capable and articulate defenders and surrogates,” Kirk said. “He speaks right to the Midwest Americans who attended our Detroit conference.”
The overwhelming victory for Vance among conservative grassroots activists could prove pivotal as Trump nears his decision in the coming weeks. While straw polls are unscientific, they offer a glimpse into the sentiments of the Republican base critical to Trump’s campaign.
Throughout the multi-day “People’s Convention,” Vance reinforced his reputation as a fiercely loyal Trump backer unafraid to go after the former president’s political rivals.
At one point, he stressed a Trump running mate’s top responsibility was displaying “loyalty” and avoiding any attempts to “stab him in the back.”
“We need to have people who are supporting Trump, not trying to stab him in the back,” Vance declared from the stage to thunderous applause. “It’s very, very simple.”
Such allegiance could be exactly what Trump desires in a vice presidential pick after controversies plagued his previous running mate, Mike Pence. Vance has transformed from a scathing Trump critic into one of his most vociferous defenders, rising to national prominence with his 2016 bestselling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” that reshaped understanding of the Republican populist wave.
Capitalizing on his anti-establishment bona fides, Vance mounted a successful Senate bid for Ohio’s seat in 2022 by firmly aligning himself with Trump’s “America First” agenda on issues like illegal immigration and trade. His staunch loyalty paid off with a crucial endorsement from Trump himself.
However, Vance’s past barbed attacks on Trump could still prove a liability in the heat of a general election campaign, where Democrats would certainly resurrect past statements like his comparing Trump to “Hitler.”
For now though, momentum firmly belongs to the 38-year-old Senator who has skyrocketed from relative political obscurity to became one of Trumpworld’s most prominent figures and a MAGA crowd-favorite.
While Trump has not tipped his hand, Sunday’s straw poll results surely reinforces Vance’s front-runner status. As the former president aims to repeat his 2016 shock victory by energizing the populist base, Vance could be exactly the firebrand he seeks to rally the Republican base while savaging his opponents.
Whether that’s ultimately the winning formula in 2024 for Trump remains to be seen. But with just weeks to go, Vance has cemented his position as one of the top pick in the veepstakes.