Gingrich, Christie top Trump’s VP list: report

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich leads the race to become Donald Trump’s running mate, according to a new report.

Gov. Chris Christie ranks a close second on the billionaire’s vice presidential shortlist, The Washington Post reported Thursday, corroborating several other reports this week that the New Jersey governor is in the running.

{mosads}Sources told the Post that Trump’s campaign has asked both men to submit documents for its vetting process and answer more than 100 questions from attorney Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr.

Culvahouse, who vetted Sarah Palin for John McCain in his 2008 presidential run, has also requested the top contenders submit extensive personal and professional files, including tax records and any published articles and books.

Christie and Gingrich top a list of more than six remaining candidates less than three weeks before the Republican National Convention. Trump has previously said he will announce his choice at the convention, but the Post reported that his campaign is considering revealing his running mate as early as next week.

Gingrich’s stock is particularly high, as he has the support of key Trump confidantes like former GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson.

Lower down on Trump’s shortlist are Sens. Jeff Sessions (Ala.) and Bob Corker (Tenn.).

Longer-shot options include Sens. Richard Burr (N.C.), Tom Cotton (Ark.), John Thune (S.D.) and Joni Ernst (Iowa), and Govs. Mike Pence (Ind.) and Mary Fallin (Okla.).

Gingrich and Christie have been active supporters of the presumptive GOP nominee, and the Post said Trump admires the pair for their experience battling and compromising with Democrats.

Robert Jeffress, a Dallas pastor who has become close with Trump during his campaign, said Thursday the businessman understands the value of legislative experience.

“He’d be coming in as an outsider and that has fueled his popularity,” he said. “But he is the first to admit that he doesn’t know all the ways of Washington. So to actually push what he wants through, he’s willing to reach out and get somebody to lend a hand.”

Both Gingrich and Christie are former Republican presidential candidates, with the former running in 2012 and the latter in 2016.