Mediaboss Marketing

Donald J. Trumps announcement of his running mate is coming soon: He has suggested he is likely to unveil the pick during the Republican National Convention, which starts July 15 in Milwaukee.

Ambitious Republicans have been jockeying to court his favor, campaigning for him and even showing up to his New York criminal trial. Trump has been weighing possible parameters, like whether someone with fund-raising prowess would be most helpful, and if choosing a person of color or a woman would give him the biggest electoral lift.

Either way, Mar-a-Lago courtiers generally agree that any rsum for the No. 2 spot on the ticket must include some Trump-specific requirements that defy demographics: absolute loyalty to the Trump brand, a willingness to filter every decision and public comment through a subservient lens, and the know-it-when-you-see-it central casting look the former president prizes.

Heres a look at some possible contenders.

Household names in national politics, these are some of the figures most often floated as possible running mates.

A senator from South Carolina, Scott ran for president but dropped out in November.

Al Drago/EPA, via Shutterstock

The Florida senator, a rival to Trump in 2016, has hummed along as a reliable Trump ally and leading Republican voice on foreign policy issues.

Scott McIntyre for The New York Times

A staunch and provocative conservative, Cotton has been seen as one of the Republican Party's rising figures.

Doug Mills/The New York Times

Haley, a former United Nations ambassador under Trump and a former governor of South Carolina, was his final Republican rival in 2024.

Samuel Corum for The New York Times

Stefanik, a five-term congresswoman, has morphed from a Bush administration staff member into a prominent Trump supporter.

Hans Pennink/Associated Press

Pompeo, a former congressman from Kansas, was a fixture in the Trump administration, first as C.I.A. director and then as secretary of state.

Al Drago for The New York Times

For any potential Trump sidekick, a track record of accomplishments is nice to have. A track record of fealty may be even more important.

The best-selling author and former venture capitalist is now a senator from Ohio, thanks largely to a Trump endorsement.

Maddie McGarvey for The New York Times

A retired neurosurgeon who ran against Trump in 2016, Carson served under Trump as secretary of housing and urban development.

Trumps former White House press secretary, she parlayed the exposure that gave her into the Arkansas governors office.

Doug Mills/The New York Times

A senator and former Florida governor, Scott has an untarnished electoral record in one of the nations biggest political battlegrounds.

Al Drago/The New York Times

A former House member from Texas who served as the director of national intelligence in Trumps administration.

Doug Mills/The New York Times

A governor and a former congresswoman, Noem has welcomed speculation that she could be invited to join the ticket.

Jamie Kelter Davis for The New York Times

Lesser known on the national stage, these politicians could provide the ticket with a fresh face.

A second-term congressman who has made a name for himself in Washington as an avatar for the next generation of pro-Trump Republicans.

Erin Schaff/The New York Times

A freshman in the House and a retired Army Apache helicopter pilot, he has become one of the partys rising stars.

Suzanne Cordeiro/Agence France-Presse Getty Images

A wealthy entrepreneur, Ramaswamy built his presidential bid around his devotion to Trump, and many Republican voters responded warmly.

Kenny Holston/The New York Times

A House member from South Carolina who was the first female military recruit to graduate from the Citadel.

Kenny Holston/The New York Times

A first-term senator from Alabama and the states first woman ever elected to the office Britt has been seen as one of the partys young talents.

Theyre long shots, yes. But Donald Trump is far from a predictable politician.

Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii who ran for president in 2020, became an independent in 2022.

undefined

North Dakotas governor came up well short in the 2024 Republican presidential race. But he did put himself in the conversation for the partys No. 2 slot.

undefined

The former Fox News anchor is widely viewed as one of the ideological godfathers of Trumpian Republicanism.

Saul Martinez for The New York Times

Lake, a prominent election denier, narrowly lost the 2022 Arizona governors race.

Rebecca Noble for The New York Times

A far-right conspiracy theorist, Greene is one of Trumps top surrogates on the campaign trail.

Doug Mills/The New York Times

Read more:
Who Could Be Trumps VP Pick? - The New York Times