Donald Trump's list of potential running mates is dwindling - here are the 10 people who might still be considered

NBC News reported Friday that Pence, the Indiana governor who's currently locked in a reelection battle, is meeting with Trump this weekend. Sources told the outlet that Pence is being formally vetted for consideration to be the Manhattan billionaire's running mate. Later Friday, CNN's Jim Acosta tweeted that Pence is on Trump's short list, per a senior campaign adviser. Pence was once considered a strong candidate to seek the presidency in 2016, but chose not to run. He would give Trump credibility with social and movement conservatives, and could help him gain an edge in what could be a close race in Indiana and throughout the Rust Belt — a stretch in which Trump must perform well.Sessions, of Alabama, was the first sitting senator to endorse Trump — and he has already been tapped to lead Trump's national-security advisory committee. A movement is afoot that must not fade away, Sessions said during the Alabama rally during where he announced his support earlier this year. Sessions is one of the staunchest supporters of Trump's hard-line plan to crack down on illegal immigration. The senator could also give Trump credibility in the South. The longtime Alabama senator said it would be an honor to be selected as Trump's vice president, but he also said it sure won't be me. Acosta tweeted Friday that Sessions is also on that short list.Acosta named Thune, a South Dakota senator, as one of the remaining options on Trump's short list Friday. Earlier this week, Thune told NBC News, I have no clue about what their process is. I don't have any reason to think I'm in that mix. Thune is the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference. He said he's open to being contacted by the Trump campaign. Well, I think you always take the call, he said. It would be rude [not to], you know. In South Dakota, we’re not rude.Christie, the New Jersey governor, was Trump's first primary rival to endorse him after leaving the race. Christie could help Trump with more moderate GOP voters, and he certainly has the bombastic personality that would serve as a useful surrogate for Trump, though the two also fiercely criticized each other when they were both candidates in the race. Trump told the Associated Press that Christie was on his short list of remaining contenders for his running mate, to which Christie responded that being on a short list doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot. Acosta confirmed that Christie is on the Trump shortlist. The Associated Press also reported Friday morning that Christie was being vetted for the role.The former governor of Arkansas, who was once in the 2016 GOP presidential race, is all in for Trump. In March, BuzzFeed reported that advisers close to Huckabee thought the vice-presidential nod was potentially in the cards. Of all the former 2016 White House contenders, Huckabee may be closest to Trump ideologically. Huckabee has struck a populist tone on cultural issues and, like Trump, vowed to protect Social Security and Medicare if elected. Huckabee was coy when asked by Fox News about the possibility of serving as Trump's running mate. I don't have any interest in anything unless he were to say he was interested, Huckabee said. And I have no idea. He's never said anything to me about it. Fact is, I'm moving on with my life.Gingrich, the former House speaker, could provide Trump with exactly what he is looking for in a running mate — an experienced lawmaker who pushed legislation through Congress for years. Gingrich has come to Trump's defense regarding both the establishment backlash to his candidacy and the controversy the presumptive nominee found himself in after initially failing in a CNN interview to disavow support from former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. Gingrich has not been shy about angling for the job, repeatedly expressing interest. You should never turn down an opportunity until it shows up, Gingrich said Thursday, according to the Chicago Tribune, later adding, Why would I want to say 'no' to the circus? I like circuses. Gingrich was on Acosta's Friday list. Rep. David Brat of Virginia told Business Insider in an interview earlier this week that he thought Trump would pick Gingrich. He added that Gingrich would be the best pick because of his dynamism. There's a bunch of other strong candidates, but he's got a dynamism, the Virginia Republican, who is backing Trump, told Business Insider while on a tour to promote his new book, American Underdog. He added: Trump's a strong figure — he needs another strong figure who can go back and forth credibly. Though Brat stressed that he didn't have any inside information on whether Gingrich would get the nod, he said, It'd be my guess right now. The Associated Press reported Friday morning that Gingrich was being vetted for the role.John McCain's running mate in 2008, Palin was a big get for Trump when she endorsed the frontrunner over Ted Cruz, for whom she had vigorously campaigned during his 2012 Senate run. If Trump is interested in a sharp break with the Republican establishment, picking Palin would certainly send that signal. It's an open question, however, as to whether she boosted or hindered McCain's run during the 2008 race. Palin was asked about the possibility by CNN's Jake Tapper: I want to help and not hurt, and I am such a realist that I realize there are a whole lot of people out there who would say, 'Anybody but Palin.' I wouldn't want to be a burden on the ticket, and I realize in many, many eyes, I would be that burden. So, you know, I just — I just want the guy to win. I want America to win. And I don't know if I would be the person that would be able to help him win, Jake. Palin introduced Trump during a Friday speech at the Western Conservative Summit in Denver.Corker, a Tennessee senator, has seemed fairly interested in serving as Trump's running mate. His name has come up in conversations among GOP insiders — who, per Politico, believe he would be an attractive choice for the job. I think all of us here in public service look at the best way that we can have an impact on our country and then make decisions once they understand whether there's different route for being able to serve, he told NBC News. But the fact is that today I have no reason to believe I’m being considered. Corker, who has been in the Senate for nearly a decade, has a business background and is the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Corker was on Acosta's Friday list. However, Corker has grown increasingly critical of Trump in recent weeks.The former Arizona governor has evident interest in being Trump's vice president. And it could be a good fit. In a May interview on Fox News, Trump said Brewer, whose governorship ended in 2015, was fantastic. She has been so fantastic, Trump said. You know I won so big, her territory, and we won so big. And she is a fabulous woman. Brewer, as Business Insider's Josh Barro wrote before March's Arizona primary, is a sort of proto-Trump. She said recently that she would be willing to serve as Trump's running mate. Like I've always said, I'm honored to be able to support him and I would be honored to serve him in any capacity. Brewer said. Fallin, the governor of Oklahoma, said earlier this month that she was 100% behind the Manhattan billionaire and would be interested in being the presumptive nominee's running mate. Trump called a suggestion from Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer of South Carolina that she would be a solid pick great advice. He later called her fabulous when her name was brought up on Fox News in a discussion about potential vice presidents. Fallin was on Acosta's Friday list.

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Donald Trump's list of potential running mates is dwindling - here are the 10 people who might still be considered

Mike Pence

Jeff Sessions

John Thune

Chris Christie

Mike Huckabee

Newt Gingrich

Sarah Palin

Bob Corker

Jan Brewer

Mary Fallin