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2024 U.S. General Elections

Longshot Trump VP pick Sen. Katie Britt is not at the first presidential debate

Rachel Barber
USA TODAY

Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., one of about 20 Republicans seen as a potential Donald Trump option for vice president, will be watching Thursday's first presidential debate from her home in Montgomery, Alabama, a staffer for the senator confirmed.

"I'm looking forward to watching President Trump win tonight's debate as he outlines his vision to restore secure borders, safe streets, stable prices, and strong families," Britt said in a statement to USA TODAY.

Senator Katie Britt speaks during the ceremony naming the federal courthouse in Tuscaloosa the Richard Shelby Federal Building and Courthouse Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.

Britt's physical absence from the event in Atlanta could be a signal that the State of the Union star will not be Trump's pick.

The presumptive Republican 2024 nominee told NBC News on Saturday that he has decided who will join his ticket this November and said the person will “most likely” be at his debate against President Joe Biden in Atlanta, Georgia.

More:Trump's VP options: Sizing up their pros and cons from J.D. Vance to Kari Lake

“They’ll be there,” he told NBC News. “I think we have a lot of people coming.”

Potential Trump running mates North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Reps. Byron Donalds of Florida and Elise Stefanik of New York have all made the trek to Atlanta.

Rachel Barber is a 2024 election fellow at USA TODAY, focusing on politics and education. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, as @rachelbarber_

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