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Donald J. Trump hasnt won a single primary or caucus vote yet, let alone the Republican nomination, but his lead in the polls has left much of the political world viewing his nomination as all but inevitable.

It has also inspired a fair amount of speculation about who might wind up on a 2024 ticket beside him. It will almost surely not be former Vice President Mike Pence, who crossed Trump by certifying the 2020 election results.

While Trump has not begun formal veepstakes talks, he has casually weighed the pros and cons of some contenders with friends and advisers.

His team has discussed possible parameters, like whether a woman on the ticket would help win back suburban women who abandoned him in the last election, or if choosing a person of color would be a smart choice, given the gains he saw in 2020 with Black and Hispanic men.

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

Haley, a former United Nations ambassador under Trump and a former governor of South Carolina, is running for president against him.

Samuel Corum for The New York Times

A staunch and provocative conservative, the Arkansas senator has been seen as one of the Republican Partys rising figures.

Doug Mills/The New York Times

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

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

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 popular 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

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

Doug Mills/The New York Times

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

Rebecca Noble for The New York Times

A wealthy entrepreneur, Ramaswamy has built his campaign around his devotion to Trump, and many Republican voters have responded warmly.

Kenny Holston/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

Stefanik, a five-term congresswoman, has morphed from a Bush administration staff member into one of the partys most prominent Trump supporters.

Hans Pennink/Associated Press

Dixon, a conservative media personality, lost the 2022 governors race in Michigan to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat.

Brittany Greeson for 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 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

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

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

Saul Martinez for The New York Times

A senator and former Florida governor, Scott has an untarnished electoral record after three statewide campaigns in one of the nation's biggest political battlegrounds.

Al Drago/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

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Who Would Donald Trump Choose as His Running Mate? - The New York Times