Republican presidential contender Donald Trump has reportedly selected Mike Pence to be his running mate.
Mr Trump’s aides have apparently told the Indiana governor the formal announcement could be made on Saturday.
The businessman made the offer on Thursday afternoon before Mr Pence travelled late in the day to New York, a Republican insider said.
The announcement originally had been planned for Friday morning in Manhattan but Mr Trump delayed his plans after the truck attack in Nice, France, that left more than 80 people dead.
The billionaire said in a series of television interviews on Thursday night that he had not yet settled on a “final, final” choice, leaving open the possibility the unpredictable presumptive nominee could change his mind.
But Mr Trump’s campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, said on Friday morning he believed Mr Trump had “reached a decision but he isn’t prepared to announce it yet”.
Mr Manafort dismissed suggestions that Mr Trump was having second thoughts about his choice. He said the Republican was planning to make an announcement this weekend.
A second Republican said he spoke to Mr Trump on Thursday morning, and the New York real estate mogul said he had chosen Mr Pence and would be calling the governor to make the offer and ask him to fly to New York.
Mr Trump’s prospective choice of Mr Pence as his running mate adds political experience – and a dose of unflappability – to the Republican presidential ticket.
Mr Pence is a staunch conservative with a calm demeanor and deep ties to Washington. His apparent selection signals Mr Trump is serious about addressing party concerns about his own conservative credentials and lack of Washington experience.
Mr Pence served six terms in Congress before becoming governor and could help Mr Trump navigate Congress. He is well-regarded by evangelical Christians, particularly after signing a law that critics said would have allowed businesses to deny service to gay people for religious reasons.
