By Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner | SOURCE: THE GAZETTE
MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — There are months remaining in the presidential primary process, but speculation is already mounting as to who the front-runner will choose for his second in command.
Former President Donald Trump is far ahead in national polling, with just one Republican primary opponent left in the form of Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and ambassador to the United Nations.
That has politicos looking ahead to who could replace Mike Pence, the 48th vice president, on Trump’s ticket should Haley drop out — and even to the next election cycle.
“Whoever he picks will be the front-runner for 2028, so it is not an inconsequential choice,” Republican strategist John Feehery said. “I would prefer [Gov. Ron] DeSantis (R-FL) myself, but [Rep.] Elise Stefanik (R-NY) seems to be in a very good spot. Haley took herself out of the competition. A dark horse could be [former House Speaker] Kevin McCarthy.”