NEW: Trump Considering Former GOP Rival for Vice President

As one falls, another rises, according to Trump insiders who say the former president is now eyeing a one-time rival following the self-inflicted wounds of another.

The calculus for picking a vice presidential candidate has shifted, according to sources who spoke with Politico. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, a reliable ally to former President Donald Trump and once a top contender for the ticket, saw her prospects fade following the release of an autobiography in which she brags about shooting a puppy she deemed untrainable. Now, Trump is believed to be taking another look at her neighbor in North Dakota.

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Governor Doug Burgum, the multimillionaire who ran a largely self-funded and unsuccessful bid for president, is on the former president’s shortlist for VP picks, the outlet reports. The curious consideration of Burgum at first makes no logical sense: he is from a reliably red state that brings just three electoral votes to the table in November. However, Gov. Burgum has demonstrated himself to be a powerhouse fundraiser with deep knowledge of areas like energy, economics, and foreign policy, aspects that appeal to the former president.

GOP Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) described being “initially surprised” to hear that his governor was in the running, but has “earned serious consideration” after “unapologetically” advocating for Trump despite his ongoing criminal trials. In addition, he came off as one of the less-Trumpy presidential candidates before dropping out in December, an image that could help Trump appeal to swing-state moderates in the fall.

“Nobody has played their cards better since the primary,” said Scott Jennings, a former political adviser to President George W. Bush. “Trump is a casting director. Who looks more like a VP than Burgum?” He is a “rich guy who could help with fundraising.”

An anonymous source close to the Trump campaign said Gov. Burgum isn’t waiting to be picked before helping out his party’s standard bearer. He is fundraising phone calls, participating in finance meetings and is bringing in new major donors to the campaign, they added, and has gone on the trail to stump for Trump in New Hampshire, Virginia, and Nevada. Burgum, who sold his software business to Microsoft for $1.1 billion in 2001, also brings his own Rolodex of high-net-worth individuals. His low-key demeanor also appeals to the president’s advisors in a year where nearly every other contender has scrambled to raise their own profile.

“No drama. Won’t outshine the top, but seems like a loyal guy who will work and do what’s asked of him,” Jennings said, comparing Burgum favorably to the flailing vice presidential hopeful Kristi Noem. “And as far as I know he’s not out here dying on Dog Murder Hill everyday.”

During the presidential campaign, Gov. Burgum built his brand on a pledge to avoid “anger, yelling, infighting” on stage with his rivals, instead offering to “listen with respect” and “talk things out.” His stilted stage presence may not have played well in an era of no-holds-barred political fisticuffs, but it certainly left the impression that he would be a great complement to a more pugnacious President Trump.

In a sign of how closely President Trump is considering the governor, he invited Burgum to join him and his family for Easter breakfast in April, according to two other sources who spoke with the outlet. Melania and Barron Trump, both of whom are taking active roles in the campaign, were present.