Conservative grassroots activists want JD Vance as Trump’s VP pick: Straw poll shows Ohio senator as the runaway leader ahead of Rubio, Burgum and Scott among Turning Point Action attendees

Senator JD Vance on Sunday cemented his status as the front-runner to become Donald Trump’s running mate, topping a poll of Turning Point Action People’s Congress attendees in Detroit.

Trump’s choice is the subject of feverish speculation and the grassroots have had their say with a poll during the three-day gathering of activists.

When 1,983 people at the Detroit event were asked who they preferred over Vance, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Sens. Marco Rubio and Tim Scott, about 43 percent said they preferred the Ohio senator.

Scott was a distant second with 15.4 percent, Rubio was third with 7.7 percent and Burgum, who has been talked out by Trump especially in recent weeks, took seven percent.

The poll was conducted by Big Data Poll for Turning Point Action, the grassroots movement that Charlie Kirk founded.

Kirk said Vance was the clear winner.

“He has always been one of President Trump’s most able and articulate defenders and surrogates, and he speaks directly to the Midwestern Americans who attended our conference in Detroit,” he told DailyMail.com.

“These are exactly the blue wall voters we need to win over in November to take back the White House. His message and appeal clearly resonate with this critical voting bloc.”

Insiders say Trump has narrowed his choice to Vance, Scott, Rubio or Burgum, though he is notorious for changing his mind or throwing curveballs to keep people guessing.

Vance has become one of Trump’s most visible cheerleaders since being elected to the Senate and can count on his friendship with the former president’s eldest son, Don Jr., to help his cause.

He rose to prominence with his 2016 memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.” The story of living with poverty and observations of addiction in Appalachia became a “Rosetta Stone” for understanding life in forgotten parts of America and Trump’s related popularity.

However, he was an outspoken critic of Trump before becoming one of his closest allies and endorsing the former president early in the 2024 nomination race.

Vance closed the Turning Point Action meeting in Detroit on Sunday afternoon. An audience member asked him what a vice president should do to advance Trump’s agenda.

Loyalty, he replied, without being distracted by his own opportunities.

Former President Donald Trump spent Saturday in the key swing state of Michigan, where he addressed Turning Point Action’s People’s Convention in the evening

Trump received an enthusiastic welcome from supporters as fireworks lit up the room

“There are a lot of smart, good people that Trump looks to, but it also applies to our senators. It also applies to our members of Congress,” he said.

“We need people who support Trump and don’t try to stab him in the back. It’s very simple.’

Last time, Trump chose Indiana Governor Mike Pence as a figure who could help win over evangelical Christians who were wary of voting for a thrice-married, trash-talking businessman from New York.

This time, however, Trump has made it known that he believes voters will only look at the top of the ticket, leaving him free to choose a loyalist who will defend him in a crisis.

Turning Point has emerged as a major force in the MAGA movement and has become increasingly influential in Republican politics under Trump.

Attendees were also asked about the Republican Party’s leadership in Congress and their stance on policy issues.

Generally speaking, they said they disapproved

For his part, Kirk has made no secret of his belief that Vance would be the best choice for VP.

Turning Point has emerged as a major force in the MAGA movement and has become increasingly influential in Republican politics under Trump

Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point Action

“He is young,” he told DailyMail.com before the results were announced. “He has a great family and is the only veteran eligible for the finalists.

“But most importantly, he is an incredibly popular, successful politician from the region of the world where Donald Trump needs to win, which is the Rust Belt.”

There may still be surprises ahead.

On Saturday afternoon, Trump was introduced by Florida Rep. Byron Donalds in a black church in a marginalized corner of Detroit.

“He’s on the list, by the way, and I don’t know if he’s going to make it, but he… he’s on a few people’s lists, right?” Trump told the crowd.