By One of Trump’s former GOP rivals in 2024 has begun rising up the vice presidential ladder, but it’s likely not the one you think.
While many have considered Nikki Haley or Ron DeSantis as potential vice presidents, and successors, to the former president, the former businessman and conservative governor from North Dakota, Doug Burgum, has grown closer to Donald Trump since the effective end of the GOP nominating contest.
Burgum could very well be a replacement-level candidate for Mike Pence. who has had a major falling out with the 45th president ever since he pushed for him to overturn the 2020 election during the vote of the Electoral College.
Axios had the scoop and explained why it makes so much sense.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is quickly moving up former President Trump’s list of possible vice presidential picks because Trump’s team believes he would be a safe choice who could attract moderate voters, four people familiar with the situation tell Axios.
Why it matters: Burgum is on a long list of VP contenders, but Trump’s rising interest in the North Dakota governor has been clear in recent weeks — and reveals his latest thinking about how he thinks his running mate could help him with undecided voters.
Two sources familiar with the Trump’s thinking said he likes Burgum’s measured demeanor and his gubernatorial experience — and sees Burgum as reliable and low-drama.
Those are similar to the traits Trump cited in 2016, when he tapped Mike Pence to be his running mate. At the time, Pence was Indiana’s governor. Pence’s cautious manner often contrasted sharply with Trump’s style.
Trump has consistently asserted that the choice oef vice president will not secure an election victory. Instead, he wants a leader who possesses the qualifications to potentially assume the presidency in the event of an emergency.
After dropping out early in the race, the North Dakota leader endorsed Trump early. Newsmax noted that “Burgum was one of the earliest 2024 presidential primary candidates to endorse Trump and has joined the president on the campaign trail in the early primary states, earning Trump’s praise for his leadership in North Dakota, particularly on energy.
Burgum spent time back in New Hampshire this week, stumping for Trump in one of the more independent-leaning states on the 2024 election ledger.
Since, Trump has increasing brought Burgum’s name up as an important future member of a potential Trump administration, according to the report.
As the governor of North Dakota, Burgum has been a key figure in the fight over the Dakota Access Pipeline that Trump has hailed as an efficient and cleaner way to pump oil to America’s heartland, helping to lower fuel costs that have soared amid massive inflation under President Joe Biden.”
Burgum would be an interesting contrast to Trump. A quiet, no-nonsense governor who would rather be looking at a chart than a camera. Prior to throwing his hat in the political ring, he forged a notable career in the software industry.
In 1983, he co-founded Great Plains Software, which became a significant player in the business software market. Burgum played a pivotal role in its growth, ultimately selling the company to Microsoft in 2001 for $1.1 billion. Following the acquisition, he held several leadership roles within Microsoft, contributing to its continued development and innovation. His tenure in the tech sector laid the groundwork for his transition into politics.
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