WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. JD Vance’s prospects of becoming the vice presidential running mate to former President Donald Trump may be fading after he came 13th of 14 candidates in the vice presidential straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) over the weekend, with 2% of the vote. 

Vance has appeared on short lists of potential running mates for Trump, the presumed Republican presidential nominee. His name has been floated in the “veepstakes” for months, even by Trump family members.

“You’re never going to rule out someone that is a leading contender. It doesn’t mean that’s who you go with. I could see other people who would be great. I’d love to see a JD Vance,” Donald Trump, Jr. said during a Newsmax interview in January.

Vance has expressed interest in the job, but said he planned to stay in the Senate for now.

“I don’t know if I was ever in the running or if I still am. I actually have never talked to Donald Trump about it, and what I’ve said about VP is I’m very focused on doing my job in the Senate,” Vance said. “Of course if the president asked me, I would have to think seriously about it, because I think it’s important that we do reelect Donald Trump.”

In a possible sign that he is interested, Vance has stepped up his rhetoric defending Trump. Vance said he would not have certified the 2020 election results had he been vice president and said he planned to introduce a Senate companion bill to a House resolution stating Trump “did not engage in insurrection.”

“He’s been auditioning, like so many others,” said Dave Cohen, professor of political science at the University of Akron.

It’s of note, Cohen said, that a majority of the top contenders for VP pick are women or of color, though Trump and other Republicans have said the choice should be color blind.

“It didn’t work in 2020, that formula,” said Cohen, referencing the choice of keeping Mike Pence as the vice presidential nominee. “You’re going to have to eat into Joe Biden’s strength, which is among women, which is among people of color.”

Vance’s biggest disadvantage, though, may be his former criticism of Trump. In 2016, Vance called Trump a “total fraud” and in 2019 said he was a “Never Trump guy.”

“I think many in the base haven’t forgotten it and frankly, I don’t think Donald Trump has ever forgotten it,” Cohen said. “I think that’s the main reason that he is unlikely to be Donald Trump’s running mate.”

The last major party vice presidential nominee from Ohio was Republican Gov. John Bricker in 1944. He and presidential nominee Thomas Dewey ultimately lost to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In an interview with FOX News, Trump said his short list now includes Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Trump did not mention JD Vance.