NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland — The Conservative Political Action Conference wrapped up Saturday with the results of a straw poll, which found attendees were equally split between entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) as choices to become former President Donald Trump’s running mate, a topic at the forefront of this week’s conference.
Ramaswamy and Noem tied in the poll with 15% support, which included input from 1,478 CPAC attendees. Former Democratic Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who left the party last year, was the third choice with 9%, followed by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who tied for fourth place with 8% support. At the bottom of the list was former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who is still competing in the presidential race against Trump with 2%.
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The conference, which used to feature Republican leaders across the party, has been remade in Trump’s image and is a clear example of his dominance over the GOP electorate.
The vice presidential question on the straw poll has not been included on the ballot for at least a decade, a signal of where the Republican presidential primary race is headed in the months to come.
The list included 17 contenders, including members of Congress and former rivals. The poll also included some wildcards such as Dr. Ben Carson, who served in Trump’s Cabinet; Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News anchor; and Rep. Marjorie Taylore Greene (R-GA).
The survey also included a question about presidential preference. Attendees answered they back Trump with 94% support over Haley at 5%.
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The front-runner for the GOP nomination has offered mixed messages on his possible vice presidential considerations. During a Fox News town hall in Iowa in January, he said he had already made up his mind but later walked that back.
At a different town hall days ago in South Carolina, Trump confirmed a list of contenders included Scott, Ramaswamy, Gabbard, Noem, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL).
