Donald Trump's list of potential running mates is dwindling — here are the 11 people who might still be considered

REUTERS/Scott Audette

Speculation over whom Donald Trump might select as his running mate in the 2016 presidential race has reached a fever pitch as only a couple of weeks remain until this summer's GOP convention.

The Manhattan billionaire, who is now the presumptive nominee for the Republican Party, told the Associated Press in May that he was down to a list of "five or six people."

On Friday, an aide with the Trump campaign told The New York Times the Manhattan billionaire was planning on unveiling his running mate ahead of the Cleveland convention.

Trump dropped some hints earlier this year that he would look for someone with experience in government, as opposed to an outsider like himself.

"I would want somebody that could help me with government, so most likely that would be a political person," the real-estate mogul has said.

"You want somebody that can help you with legislation, getting it through," he added.

Trump launched his White House campaign last summer with almost no support from the type of politicians who would fit the description of the word.

After dominating the race month after month, Trump finally started securing endorsements from governors and members of Congress whom he could consider for his administration. Now, as the presumptive nominee, he has a lengthy list of potential fits to consider.

Here are a few of the politicians Trump might look to as vice president.

Mike Pence

AP

NBC News reported Friday that Pence, the Indiana governor who is locked in a reelection battle, is meeting with Trump this weekend. Sources told the outlet that Pence was being formally vetted for consideration to be the Manhattan billionaire's running mate.

Later Friday, CNN's Jim Acosta tweeted that Pence was on Trump's short list, per a senior campaign adviser.

Pence was once considered a strong candidate to seek the presidency in 2016, but he 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.

Jeff Sessions

AP Photo/John Bazemore

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 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 was also on that short list.

John Thune

AP Photo/Molly Riley

Acosta named Thune, a South Dakota senator, as one of the remaining options on Trump's short list Friday.

In June, 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."

See the rest of the story at Business Insider