Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., announced Wednesday that he has removed himself from consideration to be presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump’s running mate.
In an interview with the Washington Post, Corker said that he informed Trump that despite being a finalist for the position, he would not be moving forward with the process. The Tennessee Republican told Trump of the decision on Tuesday when the two sat for meetings in New York City and campaigned later that evening in North Carolina.
“There are people far more suited for being a candidate for vice president and I think I’m far more suited for other types of things,” Corker said.
“It’s a highly political job and that’s not who I am,” Corker told the newspaper. “We had a very open conversation about that and, actually, we have been very candid about it from the very beginning of our meetings. I left there feeling very good about him as a person but also realized that at age 63, I know the things I’m good at doing and knowing what a candidate for vice president has to do, it’s just not the right thing for me and I don’t think it’s the right thing for them.”
Corker, like former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, has been discussed as a possible running mate for Trump. The chatter about Corker took off after he praised a foreign policy speech Trump delivered in late April, after which he met with the businessman on multiple occasions.
The Tennessee senator also told the Post that he expects Trump to make his decision on a running mate by July 15.
“I’m going to move on,” Corker said. “I am very positive about him as a person. It was incredible to be with him in Raleigh and see the way people react to him. They’re so excited and I truly believe he has such an opportunity ahead.”
Trump is set to campaign Wednesday night with Gingrich, who is still reportedly under consideration as a possible running mate.
