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As the 2024 election approaches, speculation about who Donald Trump will choose as his vice presidential candidate continues to grow. Various candidates have emerged as potential running mates, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
Trump’s original vice president – Mike Pence – actually ran against Trump in the GOP primary. Pence’s candidacy was short-lived, however, as he failed to generate much enthusiasm in a party that remains deferential to Trump.
So, Trump will have a new face alongside him atop the Republican ticket for the first time as he seeks the presidency for the third time. Below, I’ll analyze the latest Trump VP odds.
Updated Trump VP Odds
Trump chose Pence back in 2016 as a way to appeal to a more traditional bloc of Republican voters. Trump was an unproven political commodity at the time, so selecting Pence to serve as VP was, essentially, a way for Trump to court a larger swath of GOP base voters.
Needless to say, the dynamics in the party have shifted considerably in the 8 years since then. Trump is now the face of the GOP, which is why he was able to breeze his way to the nomination despite a crowded field of primary contenders.
In fact, a few of the top candidates to serve as Trump’s new VP previously ran against him in said primary. Doug Burgum, Tim Scott, and Vivek Ramaswamy ran ill-fated campaigns of their own before ultimately dropping out. Upon doing so, all of them wound up immediately endorsing Trump for the nomination.
Clearly, all 3 of them endorsed Trump with an eye on snagging the VP nod. Whether it’ll pay off remains to be seen, as Trump is not expected to announce his running mate until the Republican National Convention in mid-July.
With a few weeks left until the convention, here are the latest Trump VP odds via BetOnline:
Trump VP Odds | Trump VP Odds |
---|---|
Doug Burgum (+200) | JD Vance (+400) |
Vivek Ramaswamy (+1000) | Ben Carson (+1200) |
Marco Rubio (+1400) | Tim Scott (+1600) |
Byron Donalds (+1600) | Glenn Youngkin (+1800) |
Tulsi Gabbard (+2000) | Sarah Huckabee Sanders (+2800) |
Doug Burgum (+200)
Doug Burgum, the current governor of North Dakota, is considered a top contender for Trump’s VP pick with odds at +200. Burgum brings executive experience and a successful business background, which could appeal to Trump’s base. Burgum struck gold in the tech industry and is reportedly worth in excess of $100 million.
Burgum’s Midwestern roots may help in swing states in the region, providing a strategic geographical balance to the ticket. While North Dakota is anything but a swing state, adding Burgum to the GOP’s ticket could help their stock among blue-collar voters in states like Michigan and Wisconsin.
However, his lower national profile compared to other candidates might be a drawback in garnering widespread support. Burgum isn’t exactly a household name despite having run for president himself. His home state is only home to about 780,000 people, which means its population is only slightly bigger than that of Seattle.
Burgum has been one of Trump’s most vocal supporters in the media of late, but I’m still skeptical of his chances of earning the gig. His +200 Trump VP odds don’t offer much upside, either.
JD Vance (+400)
JD Vance, author of “Hillbilly Elegy” and a rising star in the Republican Party, stands at +400 odds.
Vance’s appeal lies in his ability to connect with working-class voters and his eloquent advocacy for conservative values. His recent election to the Senate from Ohio demonstrates his political viability and influence.
However, his relative inexperience in high-stakes political arenas could be seen as a liability by some within the party. Vance is just 39 years old and likely has a bright future within the GOP. Choosing such a young VP would present quite the contrast with both presidential candidates being around 80.
It’s also worth wondering whether Trump will really pick a previous critic of his to serve as VP. We know Trump demands loyalty, and Vance had some pretty harsh things to say about the nominee as recently as 2017. He has since come around and adamantly supports Trump, but it’s still a unique wrinkle for his potential candidacy.
Vivek Ramaswamy (+1000)
Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and political commentator, is another name in the mix with +1000 Trump VP odds. Ramaswamy’s reputation as a bold thinker and his strong stance against “woke” culture resonate with a segment of the conservative electorate.
Ramaswamy’s business acumen and outsider status could be advantageous in appealing to voters tired of career politicians. Nonetheless, his lack of political experience and potential challenges in appealing to a broader audience could be significant hurdles. Ramaswamy is of Indian descent, and that, sadly, could be a stumbling block for some voters.
Ramaswamy, like Burgum, is another rich man who unsuccessfully ran for president earlier in this cycle. Unlike other candidates – including Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis – Ramaswamy made a point of defending Trump at every turn despite technically running against the former POTUS in the primary. After he dropped out, Vivek was one of the rotating cast of sycophants who actually showed up to support Trump at his New York trial:
Ben Carson (+1200)
Ben Carson, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and a renowned neurosurgeon, has +1200 odds to be Trump’s second-in-command.
Carson’s previous experience in Trump’s cabinet and his widespread recognition from his 2016 presidential campaign figure to bolster his candidacy. His calm demeanor and inspirational life story may attract voters seeking stability and integrity.
However, Carson’s performance in the 2016 campaign and some controversies during his tenure as HUD Secretary might negatively affect his chances. Trump choosing an African-American VP could potentially help him sway some Black voters. Trump received an embarrassing 12% of the Black vote in 2020, while Joe Biden garnered a whopping 87%.
Marco Rubio (+1400)
Marco Rubio, a prominent Senator from Florida, holds +1400 odds. Rubio’s extensive political experience, including his presidential run in 2016, and his appeal to Hispanic voters make him a strong contender.
His expertise in foreign policy and consistent conservative stance are assets that complement Trump’s platform. Despite these strengths, Rubio’s past criticisms of Trump during the 2016 primaries could complicate their potential partnership. Remember this?
While Rubio has since tried to mend that fence by emerging as a staunch Trump supporter, you can bet Trump himself hasn’t forgotten.
Plus, choosing another Floridian may not make a lot of sense. Trump now calls Mar-a-Lago his permanent residency, and he’s very likely to carry the Sunshine State the same way he did in 2016 and 2020. Choosing a VP from another state may make more sense for Trump’s campaign.
Tim Scott (+1600)
Tim Scott, the only Black Republican Senator, stands at +1600 odds. Scott’s compelling personal story and advocacy for opportunity zones and police reform align with key Republican values.
His ability to bridge racial divides and attract minority voters is a significant advantage. However, his relatively moderate stance on some issues might not resonate with the entire Trump base, potentially limiting his appeal.
That said, it’s a little surprising to see Scott with such long Trump VP odds at +1600. Trump recently told Scott he’s been more effective as a Trump surrogate than he was as an actual candidate. Tapping Scott to serve as VP could also give Trump a path toward courting more Black evangelical voters, which is a weakness in his campaign.
Byron Donalds (+1600)
Byron Donalds, a rising star in the Republican Party and another Congressman from Florida, shares the same Trump VP odds as Scott at +1600.
Donalds’ dynamic presence and strong conservative values make him a compelling candidate. His efforts to promote economic freedom and his charismatic communication style could help energize the base.
On the flip side, his limited experience in national politics could be seen as a drawback compared to more seasoned politicians. Donalds isn’t nearly as well-known as several other would-be nominees, and the absence of that national profile could come back to haunt his candidacy.
Glenn Youngkin (+1800)
Glenn Youngkin, the governor of Virginia, is listed at +1800 odds. Youngkin’s successful gubernatorial campaign in a swing state showcases his electoral appeal and ability to unite diverse voter groups.
His business background and focus on education reform resonate with many conservative voters. However, his relatively recent entry into politics might be a concern for those looking for a more experienced running mate.
A potential plus for Youngkin’s candidacy is the fact that he’s viewed as a more moderate alternative to Trump. With Youngkin on the ticket, Trump would likely fare better among suburban voters who may be otherwise reluctant to support him again. The same logic applied when Trump chose Pence in ’16.
Tulsi Gabbard (+2000)
Tulsi Gabbard ran for president back in 2020 as a Democrat, but she’s since taken a swing to the right. The former Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii has +2000 odds.
Gabbard’s military service and independent streak have won her respect across the political spectrum. Her ability to appeal to independent and disaffected Democratic voters could be an asset in a general election.
Nevertheless, her past as a Democrat and some of her more unconventional views may alienate parts of the Republican base. It stands to reason that lots of hardcore Republicans may not take too kindly toward having an ex-Dem on the ticket. Of course, those same people may not quite realize that Trump himself was a registered Democrat back in the day, as well.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders (+2800)
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the current governor of Arkansas and former White House Press Secretary, holds +2800 odds.
Sanders’ close relationship with Trump and her strong communication skills make her a noteworthy contender. Her experience in the Trump administration and her recent electoral success in Arkansas demonstrate her political acumen.
However, her polarizing figure and limited experience in elective office might hinder her chances on the national stage. Sanders may have presidential aspirations of her own one day, but she was just elected into the governorship in January of 2023. Would she really bail on the job less than two years after taking office to run as Trump’s VP?
Who Will Be Trump’s VP?
Each of these candidates offers unique strengths and potential drawbacks as Donald Trump’s running mate for the 2024 election. The final decision will likely hinge on a combination of strategic electoral considerations, personal chemistry with Trump, and the ability to unite and energize the Republican base.
We’re likely just a few weeks away from knowing Trump’s VP pick, so you still have time to get those bets placed at online sportsbooks. As of now, I think the best combination of value and likelihood is Vivek Ramaswamy, who offers loads of upside at his current +1000 odds.
Vivek and Trump are cut from the same cloth, and Ramaswamy would add a sorely needed younger voice to Trump’s campaign.
Trump VP Pick: Vivek Ramaswamy (+1000)