Donald Trump's senior aides are kicking the tires on a handful of early contenders for the vice presidential slot, including a few potential running mates who could blunt some of the Democratic Party's attacks on the presumptive GOP nominee.

The Republicans' standard-bearer has said he aims to choose a political workhorse, someone who could help him interface with Congress, as a counterweight to his outsider status and inexperience in Washington.

Emerging as possible VP picks on Wednesday were South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, according to a campaign official who spoke with CNN.

But Haley quickly yanked her own name out of contention, embarrassing Trumpworld by saying saying she doesn't want the job.

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LIKEABLE: South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley endorsed Marco Rubio for president and famously broadsided Trump in a January speech, but is a natural campaigner and a gifted retail politician who could help blunt Hillary Clinton's 'woman card'

A LIST THIS LONG? Trump is reportedly vetting vice presidential running mates, including two female govenrors and two Ohioans

'I have great respect for the will of the people, and as I have always said, I will support the Republican nominee for president,' she said in a statement.

'To the members of the press who are asking, while I am flattered to be mentioned and proud of what that says about the great things going ton in South Carolina, my plate is full and I am not interested in serving as vice president.'

Haley, one of two Indian-American Republican governors, famously tangled with Trump when she delivered the GOP's response to this year's State of the Union address.

She leveraged the story about her own immigrant family to castigate the real estate tycoon for proposing a freeze on Muslim immigration into the U.S. following Islamic terror attacks in California and France.

'During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices,' she said in her mid-January speech.

'We must resist that temptation. No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country.'

Five weeks later she endorsed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as Republican White House candidates barnstormed her state. Rubio lasted another month in the race, pulling out after a devastating loss in his native Florida.

Trump later turned Haley's criticism back against her, embracing the adjective 'angry' during his rallies to acknowledge his supporters' frustration with what he called 'all talk and no action politicians.'

MAKING LATINAS GREAT AGAIN? New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez as a conservative Hispanic woman whose views line up nicely with Trump's on key issues like immigration, border enforcement and education

OHIOANS: Buckeye Senator Rob Portman (left) and Gov. John Kasich (right) could potentially help deliver the critical swing state of Ohio to Trump

Martinez would provide Trump with a foil against what he sees as Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton's primary qualification to run for office: 'the woman card.'

In addition, Martinez is of Hispanic descent, providing her with an avenue to identify with a key voting bloc that Trump could easily lose – 'Big League,' as he might say – if Democrats succeed in using his immigration and border control policies as a wedge issue to drive Latinos to the political left.

The New Mexico governor was in the news this winter when she signed a bill banning illegal immigrants from obtaining drivers licences.

On the same day she enacted a law cutting back on New Mexico schools' reliance on standardized testing.

Trump told CNN on Wednesday that he would consider vetting Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who is dropping out of presidential contention, for his number-two slot.

He said he has 'a very good relationship with John,' and predicted that the governor 'will be very helpful with Ohio' in November.

Kasich's home state will be a key to winning the general election. No Republican has ever captured the White House without carrying the Buckeye State.

Portman, too, is an Ohioan, underscoring the Trump team's certainty that the state is bound to be a crucial battleground.

Whoever Trump chooses, he or she won't be the first second-banana to be anointed this year.

Ted Cruz announced last week that he would run with former tech CEO Carly Fiorina – and quit the race six days later after she failed to give him the boost he needed to be competitive in the key primary state of Indiana.

She didn't help her ticket's case when she fell off a stage on Sunday while introducing the Texas senator.

NOT ON THE LIST: Vice President Joe Biden joked that Trump might want to give him four more years in his current job

One person who is certainly not on Trump's short list, current Vice President Joe Biden, joked on Wednesday about the possibility of an extended term in his job.

During a meeting with Central American leaders, a White House pool reporter asked Biden what he thought about Trump's elevation from front-runner to 'presumptive' nominee.

'I anticipate he'll ask me to be vice president,' he deadpanned.