MILWAUKEE 鈥� North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum will not be former President Donald Trump鈥檚 running mate in the 2024 election.
Trump announced Monday, July 15, on Truth Social that he has chosen U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, of Ohio. Burgum, a 67-year-old who has served as North Dakota governor since 2016, got a call earlier in the day that informed him that he would not be Trump's running mate, a source close to Burgum said.
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Burgum was considered a top contender for Trump's running mate. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, of Florida, another top contender, was also told Monday he was not in the running, several media outlets reported.
"(Trump) is the strongest leader to enter the political arena in modern American history!" Burgum said on X, formerly known as Twitter. He said Vance's "small town roots and service to country make him a powerful voice for the America First Agenda. I look forward to campaigning for the Trump-Vance ticket to Make America Great Again!"
Trump secured the GOP presidential nomination Monday at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Vance was officially nominated as the vice presidential candidate Monday afternoon.
Trump, 78, is expected to face President Joe Biden, a Democrat, in November, a rematch four years in the making. Biden defeated Trump in 2020.
Some have questioned whether Biden, 81, should step aside after a poor performance at the last presidential debate.
Biden has secured more than enough delegates to get the Democratic nomination and is adamant that he will not drop out of the race.
Trump said his decision on who would be his running mate took "lengthy deliberation and thought."
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"J.D. has had a very successful business career in Technology and Finance, and now, during the Campaign, will be strongly focused on the people he fought so brilliantly for, the American Workers and Farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and far beyond鈥�." Trump said on Truth. "As Vice President, J.D. will continue to fight for our Constitution, stand with our Troops, and will do everything he can to help me MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN."
Burgum was interviewed on several national television networks Monday night during the primetime airing of the Republican National Convention.
During an interview with CNN鈥檚 Kaitlan Collins, Burgum said that when Trump called him to deliver the news on Monday, he addressed him as 鈥淢r. Secretary,鈥� then went on to tell him that he was not his choice for vice president.
Collins then asked Burgum if he would accept a cabinet position if Trump is elected and Burgum did not directly answer the question, but did say that getting Trump elected again was important for North Dakota.
Burgum grew up in Arthur, North Dakota, and joined Great Plains Software in 1983, becoming president of the company the next year. He sold that company to Microsoft for $1.1 billion in 2001 and served as a Microsoft senior vice president through 2007.
In 2006, Burgum founded the Kilbourne Group, a real estate company that helped revitalize downtown Fargo. In 2008, he launched Arthur Ventures, which invests in software companies.
Burgum ran for president but suspended the campaign in December after garnering low polling numbers. After announcing his endorsement of Trump, he has often left North Dakota to campaign for the former president.
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Vance and Burgum were politically different candidates for Trump's running mate, said Rick Becker, a former North Dakota state representative who is a delegate at the RNC.
"Trump decided to go with someone who was a little bit more MAGA, I suppose," Becker told The Forum at the convention.
All candidates on Trump's shortlist were "great options," North Dakota State Auditor Josh Gallion said. He also is a delegate at the convention.
"As a person from North Dakota, we like to support our own," Gallion said. "I'm confident that Donald Trump has plans for Gov. Burgum, that he is going to play a significant role in the administration and he's going to continue representing not only North Dakota but our country."
Trump in the past teased an announcement regarding Burgum, though he did not give specifics. Shortly after in January, the former president indicated he wanted the governor to be
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