The question of who to succeed Trump in 2024 is interesting. I know it won't be Cruz, Rubio, or any of the current crop of losers. And back to tradition, it won't be anyone on Capital Hill. Maybe Pence? Seems loyal but not inspirational, nor a scrapper. Great back bench as VP.
I really know little about current governors. Maybe Abbott?
What we can pretty well guess is that if Trump has a second term, VP Pence will be the nominee. And that the Democrats will win unless the public wishes it could re-elect Trump. And that is unusual. Even more unlikely, IMHO, would be for Pence to be unable to get the nomination - and lose it to someone who then goes on the win the general election.There have only been 3 sitting VP’s elected POTUS - and one of them was John Adams, who (before the 12th Amendment) had not been the “running mate” of President Washington. The other two were van Buren (Andrew Jackson’s veep) and GHW Bush (Reagan’s VP).
The other thing you can expect is that if it’s a Democrat, he or she will not be a political old-timer. Presidents don’t actually “wait their turn,” as much as they burst on the scene. DJ Trump, anyone? Barak Obama? GW Bush? Bill Clinton? Jimmy Carter?
We don’t even know for sure who’ll be POTUS three years hence - we sure don’t know who’ll be POTUS seven years hence.