CPAC poll reveals who Republicans want as Trump’s running mate

As this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference drew to a close on Saturday, a straw poll of attendees revealed who they would like to see join Donald Trump on the Republican Party presidential ticket.

The former president has yet to officially lock up the party’s nomination but is widely considered to be on the verge of doing so following this weekend’s win in the South Carolina primary, and very favourable polling ahead of Tuesday’s contest in Michigan.

CPAC acted as a showcase for potential vice presidents should Mr Trump win the presidential election in November, with major speeches given by almost all of the big names connected with the role.

However, it was biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem who came out tied as the top pick among CPAC attendees in the veepstakes both getting 15 per cent of those polled.

Former Hawaii Democrat Rep Tulsi Gabbard came in third with nine per cent, followed by Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina and House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik of New York, each with eight per cent.

Rep Byron Donalds of Florida scored seven per cent and Arizona Senate hopeful Kari Lake got six per cent.

Rounding out the poll were Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson each with five per cent.

Mr Ramaswamy, Ms Noem, Ms Gabbard, Ms Stefanik, Mr Donalds, Ms Lake, and Mr Carson all spoke at CPAC.

South Dakota’s Governor Kristi Noem speaks during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) meeting on 23 February 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland

Mr DeSantis has publicly ruled out joining Mr Trump on the ticket.

The Independent’s Eric Garcia