CLEVELAND — Donald Trump said Thursday he was scrapping his plans to announce a running mate because of the terrorist attack in southern France, following a day of strong signals that Indiana Gov. Mike Pence was the likely choice.
Throughout the day, aides to Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, were preparing to formally announce Pence as the vice presidential candidate at a news conference in New York on Friday morning. But by early evening, Trump said that he had yet to make a “final, final decision” between Pence and two other candidates, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former House speaker Newt Gingrich, Ga.
With the Republican National Convention just days away, it was unclear when Trump would finalize or announce his selection.
Pence was spotted Thursday evening in New York, an indication that he had been chosen, while Gingrich had no plans to be in the city, according to several Republicans familiar with the process.
Trump, who was in California for a series of fundraisers, sparked intense speculation as he held off throughout the day on notifying Pence or any other potential picks of his decision, said these Republicans, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the confidentiality of the ongoing talks.
Campaign officials cautioned that the selection process remains fluid — and although they did not dispute that Pence probably would be chosen, they noted that Trump still could spring a surprise.
For Pence, the timing is crucial: Under Indiana law, he has only until noon Friday to have his name removed from the November ballot for his re-election bid. That step would be required if he were the vice-presidential nominee.
In an interview early Thursday evening with Fox News Channel, Trump said, “I haven’t made my final, final decision. I mean, I’ve got three people that are fantastic.” He went on to praise all of them.
Trump had been torn between following his gut instincts to tap a fiery combatant such as Gingrich or Christie and heeding his advisers by selecting the soft-spoken and low-profile Pence.
Pence’s elevation to the ticket could help unify the divided Republican Party before next week’s national convention in Cleveland. Early reports that Pence would be chosen were welcomed on Capitol Hill, with House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, Wis.
