In a highly anticipated event at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), potential vice presidential candidates vied for attention and support from the conservative base as the Republican primaries for the 2024 election cycle unfold.

Former President Donald Trump, considered the frontrunner for the GOP nomination, has yet to reveal his pick for a running mate, leading to speculation and excitement among party members. Individuals such as Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, and Ohio Sen. JD Vance took the stage at CPAC to test different messages and connect with Trump's loyal supporters.

The CPAC event featured speeches focused on a range of topics including foreign policy, border security, populist policies, and culture battles, each speaker aiming to showcase their alignment with Trump's values and priorities. The audience, consisting of 1,478 CPAC attendees, participated in a straw poll to indicate their preferred choice for Trump's running mate, resulting in a tie between Noem and Ramaswamy at 15%, followed by former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard at 9%, and Stefanik and Sen. Tim Scott tied at 8%.

While attendees expressed varied preferences and discussed the qualities they admire in potential vice presidential candidates, the ultimate decision rests with Trump himself. Despite the fervor surrounding the VP race, sources close to Trump indicated that CPAC might not be a make-or-break moment for any individual seeking the position.

As the GOP convention approaches later this summer, the spotlight remains on Trump's choice for a running mate, with the CPAC event serving as a platform for contenders to demonstrate their allegiance to Trump's vision and appeal to the conservative base.