Donald Trump closed in on his running-mate choice Thursday as reports pointed to Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his choice.
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Gingrich, the former House speaker, is among Trump’s top choices, along with Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Indiana Republican committee member Barbara Krisher of Fort Wayne said she has talked with some candidates in recent days, but others might jump in once a Pence decision is known. “A decision has not been made by Mr. Trump”, spokesman Jason Miller wrote on Twitter in response to the reports.
News of the expected vice presidential pick end months of speculation as to whom the Trump would tap as his running mate.
Gingrich later posted on Facebook that he would hold a live chat at 2 p.m. Eastern about the “vice presidential picks and the VP selection process”.
The businessman reportedly teased the potential of Pence serving as his running mate while addressing IN rally-goers Tuesday, saying “I don’t know if he is going to be your governor or vice president”.
Julius Anderson, a city council Democrat, said, “It’s a good move for Pence for sure”, adding that he was interested in the impact on in, where Republicans will choose a candidate to replace Pence in the governor’s race against Democrat John Gregg.
Trump said to Fox News’ Bret Baier Wednesday night that he was still narrowing it down. The timing is aimed at energising Republicans ahead of next week’s Republican convention in Cleveland.
Also Thursday, Roll Call reported the news, citing a Republican source.
He also could give a boost to Mr Trump’s campaign fundraising efforts.
Prior to serving as Indiana’s governor, Pence served in the House of Representatives from 2001 to 2013.
Pence had earlier offered his endorsement for Texas Sen.
The long-awaited decision upends the political landscape in IN and at least partially remakes the Trump campaign in Pence’s image.
Pence has also criticized Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims temporarily from entering the country.
Pence is to the right of Trump on social issues, signing restrictive abortion legislation and pushing to defund the Planned Parenthood women’s healthcare organization.
Pence is the pick and is dropping his re-election bid in order to join Trump’s ticket, the Indianapolis Star reported. If elected, he will become the first vice president from IN since Dan Quayle ran with George H.W. Bush IN 1989.
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Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb, who has not yet publicly said he will seek the office, is thought to be a frontrunner.
