Newt Gingrich: Will McLean Resident Be Trump's VP Choice?

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Will McLean be sending a running mate for Donald Trump to the Republican National Convention next week?

Virginia has the distinction of having two possible running mates in the 2016 campaign season. U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, who will appear with presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton Thursday in Annandale, is being considered as Clinton's running mate.

The other Virginian being considered for the role, on the other side of the political spectrum this campaign season is McLean resident Newt Gingrich, the former Speaker of the House and resident of McLean with wife Callista Gingrich. Gingrich has been spotted around town shopping at the McLean Giant grocery store and dining at McLean Family Restaurant.

Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich, 73, represented Georgia's 6th congressional District for 20 years and was Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995-'99. Gingrich has stayed busy during the years since then as an author and speaker. Gingrich ran for president in 2012.

Gingrich is being vetted by the Trump campaign for the VP position, he said last week. "Five or six people are being vetted. We are at a stage, we can look you in the eye and say yes, I'm being vetted," Gingrich said in an interview with Fox News' Greta Van Susteren.

CNN reported Saturday that Gingrich is "actively lobbying" for the position.

"If Trump offers the position and is serious about it, which I think he would be after our conversations, listen, I would feel compelled to serve the country," Gingrich told Van Susteren.

Gingrich appeared with Trump at a rally last Wednesday in Ohio. Trump could make an announcement about his running mate choice as early as Thursday or Friday, before the Republican National Convention begins Monday, July 18, he told The Washington Post on Monday. Trump said in that interview that he plans to choose someone with political experience to help unify the party. Others being considered are New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

Gingrich and his wife are currently scheduled to host a book signing Saturday at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg. They will sign copies of their new book, Rediscovering God in America.

PHOTO of Newt and Callista Gingrich courtesy of Gingrich Productions