Sen. J.D. Vance cemented his status as frontrunner to become Donald Trump’s running mate on Sunday, coming top in a poll of attendees at Turning Point Action’s People’s Convention in Detroit.
Trump’s pick is the subject of feverish speculation and the grassroots had its say with a poll run over the three day gathering of activists.
When 1,986 people at the Detroit event were asked who they favored out of Vance, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Sens. Marco Rubio and Tim Scott, some 43 percent said they favored senator from Ohio.
Scott was a distant second on 15.4 percent, Rubio took third with 7.7 percent, and Burgum, who in particular has been talked up by Trump in recent weeks, took seven percent.
The poll was conducted by Big Data Poll for Turning Point Action, the grassroots movement founded by Charlie Kirk.
Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio cemented his status as frontrunner to be Donald Trump’s VP pick with a new straw poll that found 43 percent of attendees at Turning Point Action’s People’s Convention wanted him for the post
Kirk said Vance was the clear winner.
‘He has consistently been one of President Trump’s most capable and articulate defenders and surrogates and he speaks right to the Midwest Americans who attended our Detroit conference,’ he told DailyMail.com.
‘These are precisely the blue wall voters we need to win in November to reclaim the White House. His message and appeal clearly resonates with this critical voting bloc.’
Insiders say Trump has narrowed his choice down to Vance, Scott, Rubio or Burgum, although he is notorious for changing his mind or throwing in curve balls to keep people guessing.
Vance has become one of Trump’s most visible cheerleaders since being elected to the Senate and can count on his friendship with the former president’s eldest son, Don Jr. to help his case.
He rose to prominence with his 2016 memoir ‘Hillbilly Elegy.’ Its story of living with poverty and observations of addiction in Appalachia became a ‘Rosetta Stone’ for understanding life in forgotten parts of America and the corresponding popularity of Trump.
However, he was an outspoken critic of Trump before becoming one of his closest allies, endorsing the former president early in the 2024 nominating race.
Vance closed Turning Point Action’s gathering in Detroit on Sunday afternoon. He was asked by an audience member what a vice president should do to drive forward Trump’s agenda.
Show loyalty, he answered, without being drawn on his own chances.
Vance beat out the other ‘finalists’ being considered by Trump (left to right): Gov Doug Burgum, Sen. Marco Rubio, and Sen. Tim Scott
Former President Donald Trump spent Saturday in the key swing state of Michigan, where he addressed Turning Point Action’s People’s Convention in the evening
‘There are a lot of smart good people that Trump is looking at, but it also applies to our senators. It applies to our congressmen and women too,’ he said.
‘We need to have people who are supporting Trump not trying to stab him in the back. It’s very very simple.’
Last time around, Trump picked Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as a figure who could help win over evangelical Christians who were wary of voting for a thrice-married, trash talking businessman from New York.
This time, however, Trump has let it be known that he believes voters will only look at the top of the ticket, freeing him up to pick a loyalist who will defend him in a crisis.
Turning Point has emerged as a major force in the MAGA movement and has become increasingly influential in GOP politics under Trump.
Attendees were also asked about the Republican Party’s congressional leadership and for their attitudes on policy issues.
Overall they said they disapproved of the performance of Rep Mike Johnson as House speaker. Some 35.4 percent said they ‘strongly disapproved’ and 23.2 percent said they ‘somewhat disapproved.’
In contrast, only 7.9 percent said they ‘strongly approved’ and 23.6 said they ‘somewhat approved.’
Trump received a rapturous reception from supporters, as fireworks lit up the room
Turning Point has emerged as a major force in the MAGA movement and has become increasingly influential in GOP politics under Trump
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point Action, said Vance was the clear winner
Attendees’ Trumpist instincts were clearly on display when they were asked about Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader who has repeatedly clashed with the former president.
Almost 80 percent said they ‘strongly disapproved’ of his performance.
And a whopping 93.7 percent said they were opposed to sending more aid to Ukraine.
But it is the VP results that will dominate headlines. For his part, Kirk has made no secret that he believes Vance would be the best pick for VP.
‘He is young,’ he told DailyMail.com before the results were released. ‘He has an amazing family and is the only veteran that is being considered of the finalists.
‘But most importantly, he’s a incredibly popular, successful politician from the region of the world where Donald Trump needs to win, which is the Rust Belt.’
There could still be surprises ahead.
On Saturday afternoon, Trump was introduced by Florida Rep. Byron Donalds at a Black church in a marginalized corner of Detroit.
‘He is on the list by the way and I don’t know if he’s gonna make it but he’s, … he’s on a list of a few people right?’ Trump told the crowd before turning to Donalds.
‘Would you like to be VP?’