Want to place a bet on who will join Donald Trump on the Republican ticket for president? You can’t. Not if you live in the United States or one of its territories, that is. However, it’s a great big world out there, and foreign betting houses love presidential election years.
Internationally, wagering on who will be our next president is big money. In 2020, more than $1.3 billion was bet on Trump-Biden 1. That’s a big chunk of money. Last February, Nevada sports bookies totaled $185.6 million for Super Bowl 58, Kansas City vs. San Francisco. A record.
Alas, we must repeat: Americans cannot bet on any political race – be it dog catcher or president. That doesn’t mean we can’t take a look at how the odds are shaking out overseas on who will be the Republican nominee for vice president. So, in no particular order...
Doug Burgum
Governor of North Dakota since 2016, Burgum is a former software entrepreneur and businessman known for his focus on economic development and government reform.
Trump’s called him “one of the best governors in the country... he’s really a smart guy.” Overseas, right now, he’s the front runner – odds: 2-1.
Marco Rubio
U.S. Senator from Florida since 2011, Rubio is a Cuban-American lawyer and politician with a strong focus on foreign affairs and immigration reform.
Rubio ran against Trump in 2016, and Trump, as Trump does, tagged him a nickname: Little Marco. Few professions better embrace the maxim “let bygones be bygones” than politics, and today Rubio rings in at 6-1.
Tim Scott
U.S. Senator from South Carolina since 2013, Scott is the first African American senator from the South since Reconstruction, emphasizing fiscal conservatism and opportunity zones.
Scott was a candidate for president just long enough to raise pretty good money but realize no one was going to beat Trump for the nomination. During the infamous debate, Scott was the only person from Trump’s VP shortlist that the former president mentioned by name and, at the same time, praised Scott’s desire to create “enterprise zones” in low-income areas. Scott’s gone from a favorite to a longshot at 12-1.
Glenn Youngkin
Governor of Virginia since 2022, Youngkin is a former private equity CEO who campaigned on education reform, economic development, and conservative values.
He’s become one of Virginia’s most popular governors, and with Virginia in play, he would be a solid addition to Trump’s White House bid. Youngkin as a rumor at 20-1, but as his name remains tossed about, Youngkin’s currently 12-1. He’s a good longshot bet, however.
Ben Carson
Retired neurosurgeon and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2017-2021), Carson was a presidential candidate in 2016 known for his contributions to medicine and conservative viewpoints.
Carson is extremely intelligent. He led a team at Johns Hopkins that successfully separated co-joined twins at the head. He’s almost too soft-spoken for a presidential campaign trail, but at 8-1 odds he’s not to be overlooked.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Former White House Press Secretary (2017-2019) under President Donald Trump and current Governor of Arkansas since 2023, Sanders is known for her staunch defense of Trump's policies and her political pedigree as the daughter of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.
It's not hard to imagine the White House press corps shuddering at the thought of Sanders' return. As press secretary, she took no prisoners. As Arkansas’ governor, she’s been true to form – conservative and tough. The current spread is anywhere from 28-1 to 12-1 depending on which European gambling site you look at.
J.D. Vance
U.S. Senator from Ohio since 2023, Vance is an author and former venture capitalist, known for his best-selling memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," which examines the social issues of his Appalachian hometown.
At 2.2-1, Vance was a frontrunner up until 48 hours ago. MSNBC found old interviews of him hammering away at Trump post-January 6. Most have taken Vance off the board, but Trump hasn’t, that anyone knows of, and Vance has been a stalwart Trump trooper since Trump entered the race.
The Rest of the Crowd
- Vivek Ramaswamy: Biotech entrepreneur and author, Ramaswamy founded Roivant Sciences and has written critically on identity politics and corporate America’s focus on social issues over business. Odds: 9-1.
- Tulsi Gabbard: Former U.S. Representative from Hawaii (2013-2021), Gabbard is an Iraq War veteran known for her non-interventionist foreign policy views and her criticism of the Democratic Party. No odds right now, but considered a fast-rising probability.
- Nikki Haley: Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (2017-2018) and South Carolina Governor (2011-2017), Haley is recognized for her diplomatic acumen and conservative governance. Odds: 9-1.
- Elise Stefanik: U.S. Representative from New York since 2015, Stefanik rose to prominence within the Republican Party as a vocal supporter of Donald Trump and serves as the House Republican Conference Chair. Odds: 7.5-1.
Current Political Climate
At the moment, Trump’s content to stay quiet while the Democrats publicly flog themselves over Biden’s candidacy. In addition, Congressional Democrats are fighting against legislation that would ensure only citizens can vote on Election Day. Polls indicate a majority of Americans, Democrat and Republican, favor the bill.
Senate Ballot Box Scores
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