Familiar Face Gains Ground in Trump Running Mate Race: ‘She’s A Killer’

Rep. Elise Stefanik Gains Some Ground in Trump Running Mate Race

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik is emerging as a strong contender for Donald Trump’s vice-presidential pick, according to sources familiar with the former president’s campaign.

“She’s gaining advocates at higher and higher levels,” a knowledgeable Trump campaign insider told The New York Post, highlighting the growing support for the 39-year-old Stefanik, who is New York’s highest-ranking congressional Republican. “I think she’s got momentum.”

Trump, aged 77, has publicly praised Stefanik for her performance in congressional hearings on college antisemitism last month. These hearings led to the resignations of Claudine Gay, the president of Harvard, and Liz Magill, the president of the University of Pennsylvania.

“She’s a killer,” Trump commented on Stefanik’s performance, according to NBC News.

The source shared insights about Trump’s current preferences.

“Nowadays,” the source said, “he’s looking for someone who can be as much as a hard-charger as he is.”

Despite Trump’s claim during a Jan. 10 Fox News town hall that he had chosen his running mate, no serious deliberations have occurred. This statement coincided with a CNN debate featuring his top Republican rivals, Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis, drawing attention away from them.

Speculation suggests Trump might select a female running mate to address his political vulnerabilities, similar to his 2016 strategy when he chose Mike Pence.

“Where does Donald Trump have one of his biggest problems? Suburban white moms,” the campaign source stated. “Elise Stefanik’s from central casting and she makes a lot of sense.”

Stefanik, a Harvard graduate elected to Congress in 2014 and chair of the House Republican conference since May 2021, has been a staunch Trump supporter. She endorsed Trump’s 2024 bid days before his formal announcement. Stefanik is set to campaign for Trump in New Hampshire, joining notable surrogates like Dr. Ben Carson, Donald Trump Jr. and Kari Lake.

Haley, the 51-year-old former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador, is seen as a prominent rival for the vice-presidential slot. Trump’s son Don Jr. has publicly opposed Haley’s potential selection, labeling her a “globalist.” Jason Miller, a top campaign adviser, dismissed rumors about biotech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy being a contender for the ticket.

However, Stefanik faces criticism for not being conservative enough. A former senior official in Trump’s administration cited her “F” grade from Conservative Review, arguing against her suitability for a Republican administration.

Some advisers suggest considering Carson, known for his staunch social conservatism and low-key personality. The source close to the campaign views Stefanik’s perceived drawbacks as potential strengths in a general election against President Biden.

“There are a lot of moderates in this country who would come to Donald Trump with one more push,” the aforementioned source said.

Stefanik could also help Trump fulfill his ambition to win New York state, a possibility he considered in the 2020 election.

“He’s made it clear he’d like to carry New York and nowadays, with the problems in New York City, it seems possible,” the source added.

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