Cotton says he would ‘entertain’ VP if asked, but ‘very happy being a senator’

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said in a Sunday interview he would “of course, entertain” a hypothetical request to serve as former President Trump’s running mate but said he’s satisfied serving in the Senate for now.

“I think if the President asked you to serve in any capacity in our great nation, you’d have to consider it,” Cotton said in an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” when asked whether he wants to be vice president.

“But I also know that there’s probably only one person who knows who’s on his short list,” Cotton continued, “and I suspect the president will make a decision about his vice president when he’s ready, and it’ll be a good decision for him and the ticket but more importantly, a good decision for the country.”

Tapper asked Cotton directly whether he would say yes to joining the ticket if Trump, the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee, asked him to.

“If the President asked me to serve in any capacity, I would, of course entertain it,” Cotton said. “But right now, I’m very happy being a senator representing the people of Arkansas and working to elect President Trump and a majority in the Congress so we can begin to repair some of the damage that Joe Biden and the Democrats inflicted over these last four years.”

The interview comes amid growing speculation over who the former president will tap to serve as his running mate.

The New York Times recently reported Cotton’s name has risen to the top of some lists, calling him “an unexpectedly strong contender.” Other potential candidates include Republican Sens. J.D. Vance (Ohio), Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Tim Scott (S.C.). Former North Dakota Gov. and 2024 presidential contender Doug Burgum (R) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) are also among names frequently floated as contenders.

Cotton differs from Trump on some key policy issues, like Ukraine military aid, which the Arkansas senator has long supported and of which Trump recently brought into question the benefit.

Cotton, in the interview, sidestepped a question on Trump’s recent remarks on Ukraine, defending Trump’s strong rhetoric during his presidency as a deterrent to Russian President Vladimir Putin and criticizing President Biden’s policies.