Greg Abbott says he doesn’t want to be Donald Trump’s running mate in the 2024 election, claiming that he can do more to help the Republican frontrunner by remaining governor of Texas.
Abbott was asked about his thoughts on joining Trump’s ticket during a 60 Minutes interview that aired Sunday, just days after the former president said Abbott was “absolutely” on his shortlist of potential running mates. Abbott later downplayed his interest in becoming Trump’s potential vice president before flatly rejecting the possibility over the weekend.
“Do you want to be Trump’s running mate?” Abbott was asked by 60 Minutes. “No,” the governor replied with a smile. Asked what he would do in the event that Trump asks him to do it, Abbott answered: “Listen, I love being governor of Texas. I can best aid him in my role by being a great governor of Texas.”
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On Thursday, Abbott had sat alongside Trump during a Fox News interview from the border. When host Sean Hannity asked Trump if Abbott would be “on the list” of possible running mates, Trump said “absolutely” after calling him a “spectacular man” who’s “done a great job.” Trump also mentioned his former rival for the GOP nomination, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), when asked about other names on the list.
“Obviously it’s very nice of him to say,” Abbott said Friday about Trump’s comments, according to The Texas Tribune. “But I think you all know that my focus is entirely on the state of Texas.”
