Former President Donald Trump is hosting an event featuring one of the top contenders to become his vice presidential running mate.
Senator JD Vance, an Ohio Republican, will fundraise at the event with Trump in Cincinnati mid-May.
Vance is billed as the “special guest” for the event, which will include a “lunch discussion” headlined by Trump, according to an invite obtained by NBC News.
Host committee members are suggested to contribute or raise $250,000 per couple. Attendees will contribute $50,000 per person.
Funds raised during the luncheon will go to the Trump 47 joint fundraising committee.
Is Vance Pulling Ahead?
Vance is a first-term senator but has been a notable Trump ally in Ohio. He has been considered a top contender for the vice presidential spot since whispers of Trump’s short list began circulating.
This event will be his first major appearance alongside Trump since, resulting in some speculation that this is a test-run of his fundraising capabilities and likeability.
During Trump’s original run for president, he put his potential running mates through a similar series of rallies and trials before settling on Mike Pence.
Trump’s campaign denied that the lunch holds any significance to his choice.
“Any person who tells you they know who, how or when President Trump will choose his VP is likely wrong unless that person is named Donald J. Trump,” Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said.
For his part, Vance appeared on Fox News over the weekend and said he had not spoken with Trump about the position, but he would “seriously think about it” if he were to be asked.
Along with Vance, other potential vice presidents include Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota, Kristi Noem of South Dakota, and Representative Elise Stefanik of New York.
They are all expected to appear at a Trump campaign spring retreat in Palm Beach, Florida this weekend.
