Considered the most pro-MAGA member of the U.S. Senate, it's little surprise Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, is on former President Donald Trump’s short list for vice president.
In fact, Vance and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum are the leading contenders to join presumptive nominee Trump on the Republican ticket for November’s election, NBC News reported last week.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., also remains in contention, the outlet added.
Vance, who's being pushed for the vice president spot by Donald Trump Jr., might have an edge over Rubio and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., who previously was reported to be on the former president's short list, when it comes to a potential vice president candidacy.
"J.D. is interesting policywise because he is someone who reflects the viewpoints of the base in his voting record but is also, and this is unique, a real-deal, deep policy thinker," one ally said, NBC News reported.
Trump's aides haven't said much about the former president’s vice president preferences.
"As President Trump has said himself, the top criteria in selecting a vice president is a strong leader who will make a great president for eight years after his next four-year term concludes," Trump spokesman Brian Hughes said.
"But anyone telling you they know who or when President Trump will choose his VP is lying unless that person is named Donald J. Trump."
During his two years in the Senate, Vance has separated himself as the most consistently MAGA-aligned of the three men.
Vance, a strong critic of U.S. engagement in foreign conflicts and a populist on most domestic issues, breaks from Rubio and Scott when it comes to establishment priorities such as funding government operations, NBC News reported Tuesday.
Over more than 500 roll call votes when all three senators have been present, Vance voted differently than Rubio and Scott 28 times, the outlet said.
Rubio has opposed a position taken by Vance and Scott 22 times, and Scott has opposed the other two just 11 times.
Vance has a 93% lifetime score from the conservative Heritage Action group, while Scott’s is 85% and Rubio’s is 81%.
During the Trump administration, Rubio and Scott each voted with the then-president about 90% of the time, according to Fivethirtyeight.com.