If Trump selects GOP governor as VP, Biden could face challenges: sources

The seventh profile in the series of potential running mates for Donald Trump's 2024 Republican Party ticket is presented.

Political insiders say that a potential name on former President Trump's running mate shortlist has a "massive" bipartisan appeal, which could spell trouble for President Biden in key swing states this November.

Trump is reportedly mulling over a range of potential vice presidential candidates, including Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, for the upcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next month.

According to Planet Chronicle Digital, veteran Republican strategist Karl Rove stated that Youngkin's experience in the private sector, honed through decades of helping buy and improve companies, enabled him to take them from good or broken to great, just as he did when he successfully ran for governor in 2021.

"Rove commended his successful tenure as a Democrat-leaning state leader, highlighting his ambitious agenda of education reform, parental rights, economic growth, and job creation."

Erin Perrine, a fellow Republican strategist, emphasized that Youngkin's victory in a state Biden won by 10 points highlights his bipartisan appeal, which reflects his ability to govern successfully and appeal to voters from different political backgrounds.

According to Perrine, Youngkin's high approval ratings in Virginia, exceeding 50%, were due to his effective leadership, and his ability to appeal to Democrats during a general election campaign would be enormous.

Perrine stated that Virginia's dissatisfaction with Biden among the Democratic base could make her competitive, and Biden would need to rely on Northern Virginia's support to win the state.

In a recent Planet Chronicle poll, Trump and Biden were tied in voter support in Virginia, a state where no Republican presidential candidate has won since Bush's re-election in 2004.

"Perrine stated that Youngkin's brand of Republican politics, which combines conservative values with pragmatic governance, is appreciated by donors. He also highlighted Youngkin's "ease of relationship with Trump" as a major advantage, in contrast to other potential running mates who "fight so hard to get in front of Trump and have him like them.""

"In 2021, Youngkin won the Virginia gubernatorial election, defeating Democrat Terry McAuliffe, despite Biden winning the state by 10 points in 2020. This victory demonstrates Youngkin's ability to attract swing voters and energize the Republican base, improving the GOP's chances of winning in crucial states."

Kevin Walling, a democratic strategist, highlighted Youngkin's ability to draw support from various political groups, attributing it to his "sunny optimism" that resonates with voters across the state, resulting in a coalition of MAGA, traditional Republicans, and independents propelling him to the governor's seat.

"Trump appears to prioritize selecting a running mate who will serve as his attack dog and "yes man" rather than considering factors such as optimism, electability, and balance, according to the source."

Despite Youngkin's surprising win in 2021 and high approval rating, Republicans lost control of the Virginia House of Delegates and fell short of winning a majority in the Virginia Senate in legislative elections last year.

Walling stated that although he was a successful businessman prior to his campaign, which aligns with Trump's background, he may be better suited for a cabinet position in the Trump administration or as the frontrunner in 2028 if Trump loses in 2024 again.

"As a potential nominee in 2028, Youngkin is a cause for concern, and he would also be a concerning vice presidential candidate in 2024. However, I believe there is no chance he will be the party's nominee for vice president this cycle."

Youngkin's potential selection was criticized by Rove and Perrine due to concerns about his private business career and limited experience in elected office.

Rove stated that he is in his first and only term and has only one campaign under his belt. He added that he would likely face scrutiny for being extremely wealthy due to his career in finance.

Perrine stated that Youngkin is well-liked in Virginia but not as well-known nationally as other potential VP candidates. His popularity overlaps with that of North Dakota Gov. Burgum and Sen. Scott, which may make him less attractive in terms of fundraising potential.

Youngkin's CEO-level approach is well-suited for navigating the business community, while other VP candidates have experience on Capitol Hill, which may make the Hill and its complexities less familiar to Youngkin. However, Youngkin's strong background in relationship building can still help balance this.

According to a source close to Youngkin, the governor has no intention of seeking to be Trump's running mate.

"The source stated that there is no ambition present, and Youngkin's sole objective was to aid Trump in competing against Biden in Virginia. The emphasis is on winning, and the ultimate decision lies with the president and his team."

In a recent interview with Planet Chronicle Digital, Youngkin, who had largely kept his distance from Trump during his 2021 campaign, stated that he had "fully endorsed" the former president and planned to "enthusiastically campaign" for him to win.

At the annual Road to Majority conference in Washington, D.C., the governor called for Trump's return to the White House and stronger Republican majorities in Congress, speaking just ahead of the former president.

Earlier this month, Youngkin met Trump for the first time, fueling speculation about his potential running mate role, despite no reports or confirmations of his involvement in any ongoing vetting process.

Several individuals have been considered as potential running mates for Trump on the Republican ticket, including House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.

Planet Chronicle Digital's Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.