Former President Donald Trump met with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin for the first time on Thursday, sparking speculation that Youngkin may be a dark-horse contender to be Trump's running mate in the 2024 election. The meeting reportedly focused on strategies to flip Virginia, which has not supported a Republican for president since George W. Bush in 2004.
During their meeting, Trump and Youngkin discussed the steps necessary to make Virginia red again. Recent polls show Trump and President Joe Biden statistically tied in the state, indicating a competitive race in an ominous sign for Democrats. In the 2020 election, Biden defeated Trump in Virginia by 10 points.
ABC7 Washington has more information about the private meeting held at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia:
Youngkin, a moderate Republican who long remained at an arm's distance from the former president before endorsing him in March, did not discuss with Trump any future Vice Presidential or Cabinet opportunities, the source said.
“Governor Youngkin has endorsed President Trump early on, and [said] that he was going to work enthusiastically to help him win. And he's been touting that Virginia has been competitive for the past several weeks now,” the source familiar told ABC News.
Trump had come into the area ahead of his meetings in D.C. Thursday. His appearance on Capitol Hill was his first since Jan. 6, 2021, and the first time since a New York court found him guilty on 34 felony counts related to hush money payments.
After their meeting, Trump suggested to a Fox News reporter that Youngkin might be on his VP shortlist.
So far, there have been no reports of Trump's campaign contacting Youngkin for further information. However, the campaign has reached out to several other possible candidates for documentation in anticipation of Trump's final VP selection, including:
- Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.)
- Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)
- Gov. Doug Burgum (R-N.D.)
- Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.)
- Former Cabinet Member Ben Carson
For now, Youngkin is also a name to keep an eye on.
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