Donald Trump stands next to Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) during a campaign event at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts on July 5 in Raleigh, North Carolina. | Getty Corker bows out of Trump VP search

Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) has removed himself from consideration to be Donald Trump’s running mate, a source close to Corker confirmed.

In a lengthy interview with reporters on Capitol Hill, Corker had warm words for Trump, whom he campaigned with in North Carolina on Tuesday.


"I’ve always thought that I’m better suited for other kinds of things and I think most people who know me agree with that," Corker said Wednesday afternoon. "I do want to say I had a remarkable day there yesterday and you know, the Trump family is most impressive."

The Senate Foreign Relations chairman would have brought significant foreign policy and national security know-how to Trump’s ticket, but his propensity for blunt talk and resisting talking points could have made it difficult for Corker to defend Trump’s oft-controversial remarks.

Corker, who has been touted as a potential secretary of state under a Republican president, did not rule out serving in a potential Trump administration. Without disclosing names, Corker said he discussed potential names of running mates with Trump and said he expected the campaign to announce the vice presidential pick by July 15, just three days before the start of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

The Washington Post first reported Corker's decision to withdraw his name from consideration.

The decision narrows the list of possible running mates for Trump, which have been said to include former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. Trump is set to campaign with Gingrich on Wednesday evening in Cincinnati, following weekend meetings with Ernst and Pence.