Former Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, who left the party in 2021, has emerged as the top choice for a potential running mate for former President Donald Trump in a new poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. Nearly a quarter (24%) of voters who indicated they are not supporting President Biden in the state named Gabbard as their preferred pick for Trump, showcasing her appeal among conservatives despite her previous affiliation with the Democratic Party.
Gabbard, a veteran of the Iraq War and the first Samoan-American elected to Congress, has made a shift towards conservative views since leaving the Democratic Party. She has been praised by Trump and has expressed openness to serving on a national ticket with him.
Other potential running mates sampled in the poll, including Vivek Ramaswamy, Tim Scott, Ron DeSantis, Kristi Noem, and Nikki Haley, garnered single-digit support.
Gabbard’s familiarity in New Hampshire, where she spent significant time during her 2020 presidential campaign and supported Republican Senate nominee Don Bolduc in 2022, may have contributed to her topping the list of preferred running mates in the poll.
The poll results indicate that Gabbard’s unique background and current political positioning could make her a formidable choice for Trump as he seeks to broaden his appeal and secure the Republican nomination in 2024.
