Trusted Senate Ally Emerges as JD Vance’s Running Mate Favorite

One of JD Vance’s former Senate colleagues is gaining momentum as a potential running mate if Vance launches a 2028 presidential campaign.

Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt has developed a close relationship with Vance and is viewed as one of the leading contenders for the ticket, Axios reported Tuesday.

According to the outlet, Vance regards Schmitt as “trustworthy, intelligent, and articulate.”

Schmitt, 51, served as Missouri’s attorney general before being elected to the Senate in 2022. Vance has not officially announced whether he will seek the presidency in 2028.

Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested that Vance and Marco Rubio could run together in 2028, though he has not indicated which of the two he would prefer to lead the ticket.

Rubio has also been discussed as a possible vice presidential choice, but he has sought to downplay the speculation.

“I’m not a candidate for anything right now,” Rubio told Colombian broadcaster RCN earlier this month. He said his attention is focused on his two current positions as secretary of state and national security adviser.

Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz endorsed the prospect in a post on X, writing: “I would support any ambition of Senator Schmitt.”

Mike Howell, president of the conservative legal group the Oversight Project, also praised Schmitt, calling him a “rockstar” in a post on X.

A longtime former Senate GOP aide told the Daily Mail that the appeal of a vice presidential nominee often lies less in what the candidate adds than in the problems they avoid creating for the campaign. “You don’t want headaches,” the aide said, suggesting Schmitt could offer a low-drama option.

Schmitt and Vance worked together when both were serving in the Senate on Capitol Hill.

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After Vance joined the administration, the pair continued working together through his role as the White House Fraud Czar.

Together, they are directing a coordinated legislative and executive effort to combat fraud across several federal programs, including COVID-19 relief initiatives and healthcare spending.

Following a White House anti-fraud Taskforce meeting earlier this year, Schmitt said in a media release: “Vice President Vance has done an incredible job cracking down on fraud and exposing rampant waste, fraud, and abuse of our federal programs.”

Referring to their shared efforts, Schmitt added: “In the Senate, I am proud to lead the Anti-Fraud Task Force to work alongside this Administration to strengthen federal oversight and hold criminals accountable so we can ensure federal programs actually help Americans in need.”

As a potential vice presidential pick, Schmitt would also bring experience as Missouri’s attorney general, a leadership role in the Republican Attorney Generals Association, and service as vice chair of the Joint Economic Committee.

Long before seeking elected office, Schmitt played varsity football and baseball at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, an NCAA Division II school.

He has held elected office at the state and local level, and has also been a partner in law firm in private practice.

Dan Rene, a conservative communications strategist, told the Daily Mail that ‘it is way too early to be picking a VP but never too early to have fun speculating.’

He added that he sees ‘Schmitt as an interesting candidate because he understands technology and has authentic and authoritative insight into where AI, communications, and the economy are headed.’

‘Any ticket will have to effectively communicate about the future instead of re-litigating the past,’ Rene concluded.

Representatives for Vance did not respond to requests for comment from the Daily Mail.