Donald Trump has narrowed running mate to 'five or six names'

The New York tycoon said he wants someone with considerable political experience

Mr Trump says he wants a running mate with political experience (AP)

Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican candidate, has narrowed the choice of running mate to just five or six people.

The New York tycoon said that all of those potential candidates had deep political experience and he said that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, the man he has named to head his transition team, has not been ruled out.

In an interview with the Associated Press, the 69-year-old said that was prioritising political experience, because he wanted a vice president to help him “with legislation, getting things through” Washington if he wins the White House.

Mr Trump and Mr Christie laughed as protestors were escorted out the hall (AP)

Former Texas Governor Rick Perry and former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, are among the Republicans who have suggested they would be open to joining Mr Trump on the ticket.

Others have ruled out being considered, including Mr Trump’s former primary rival, Florida Senator Marco Rubio.

“I stand by the things that I said during the campaign,” the Florida senator told CNN, referring to his critics of Mr Trump.

“But I'm not going to sit here right now and become his chief critic over the next six months, because he deserves the opportunity to go forward and make his argument and try to win.”

As to backing Mr Trump, he added: “I signed a pledge, put my name on it, and said I would support the Republican nominee and that’s what I intend to do.”

Key Senate Republicans voiced optimism Tuesday about Mr Trump’s presidential prospects in November, signaling clearly to the rank and file to unite behind the bombastic billionaire and turn their energy toward battling Democrat Hillary Clinton.

“We have a nominee, it looks like he may well be very competitive, and we want to win the White House,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

“We know that Hillary Clinton will be four more years of Barack Obama. I think that’s going to in the end be enough to unify Republicans across the country.”

Among those being talked of as potential running mates, are Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, who was one of the first Republican office-holders to endorse Mr Trump, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, and Ohio Governor John Kasich, himself a 2016 presidential hopeful.