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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Rep. Mia Love on the Republican presidential ticket with Donald Trump?
The Washington Post says there's a chance.
The newspaper put Love on its list of 35 possible running mates for the presumptive GOP nominee. Trump's vice presidential pick could ease the fear of establishment Republicans who are wary of his brash style and inexperience, according to the Post.
Love is among a list of "insiders" the newspaper describes as establishment-friendly, known-commodity Republicans who could do wonders in pushing the doubters toward acceptance. She also makes its list of "historic firsts" made up of women and minorities.
But don't expect to see any Trump-Love bumper stickers, the congresswoman says.
"I haven't had any contact with the Trump campaign, and am not interested in being vice president," Love said in a prepared statement.
"I want my neighbors in Utah's 4th District to know that Utah is my priority, not the ever-changing tide of presidential politics. It's gratifying for Utah to be included on this list, but I'm laser-focused on making a difference on important issues in Congress for the people I serve."
A Facebook page created last year called "Mia Love for Vice President 2016" has about 400 followers.
Love is among Republicans who aren't sold on Trump, even after the billionaire businessman met with GOP congressional leaders last month, including her mentor, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis. She is also undecided on attending the Republican National Convention in July.
"I think that it is an encouraging first step, but that's just what it is — it's just a first step. I believe that there is a long way to go … to see what type of president he would actually be. There's so much that we don't know yet," she said then.
Love voted for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in Utah's presidential preference caucus in March, saying the country needs a president with less bravado and more real courage to act on conservative principles.
"For me, courage is not playing to our fears, frustrations, angst and anger. Courageous leadership is never defined by insults, put-downs or personal attacks," she said then, though didn't specifically name Trump.
Love also this week took a shot a presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on Facebook.
"A female president would certainly be historic, but Hillary Clinton would be a historic disaster. Shattering the glass ceiling with her shrill rhetoric along with the blunt force of her divisive and dishonest political machine is more of a breakdown than a breakthrough," Love wrote.
