TRACE GALLAGHER: Jessica, great to have you on. I mean, it’s kind of ramping up. A lot of stuff is going on: Mike Pence is in, Chris Christie set to get into the race this week, Chris Sununu said he was not getting in because he thinks it’s important to beat Trump… What do you think? Are there too many contestants in the ring right now? 

CHAIRWOMAN PATTERSON: No, and I don’t think a lot of people are looking at it that way. Right now is the opportunity for all of these candidates, and I’ve said it before, Republicans have an embarrassment of riches. If there is something you want, we have that flavor for you. We have a former president, now a former vice president, ambassadors, business people, governors, senators. We have a lot to choose from, and that’s a good thing, especially this far out. 

GALLAGHER: We talked a lot about Tim Scott in the early going, because he was on The View today — he actually did quite well on The View. You look at some of the reviews, you look at online, and you know, some of the ladies were silent while he was talking, and he defended himself well. I want to play a little bit more sound from Tim Scott, and we’ll get your response… I think even Whoopi was over in the corner, like he’s probably right about that. 

PATTERSON: I think so, and you know, going in and talking at a place like The View — not exactly friendly territory for Republicans. In fact, most Republicans that end up on that show end up moving further and further to the progressive side being around that table of women. But what you see is someone who went in there with his facts to back him up, he came in respectful with a compassionate message, and it gave me hope, and I think it gave a lot of people hope listening to what Senator Scott had to say. 

GALLAGHER: You talked about Mike Pence earlier, the former vice president. Long time since a vice president has gone after his former boss… Gets a little awkward going in now, right? 

PATTERSON: Certainly does, it certainly does, but I think all of these candidates are going to be delivering that message. Why are they the best to take out Joe Biden? And that’s what we’re looking at. This is a president who’s sitting at 41% approval rating with 56% disapproval. We’ve got a lot of room to work, and these candidates are going to be making their case to Republicans all across America.

GALLAGHER: There’s an article, and I don’t have time to read it. New York Times saying that millennials, as they get older, they’re becoming more conservative, more Republicans. It’s not, I don’t think, dramatic, but it could be decisive. Your final thoughts on that.

PATTERSON: Well, I think this shouldn’t be surprising, right? These are individuals who are trying to buy a home. It’s getting more and more difficult with the inflation that we’re experiencing. They’re people with school-aged children. Anyone who lived in a blue state like California where their kids were out of school for two years — this has affected them, and they’re seeing what Republicans have to offer, and this is good.  

Watch the full interview HERE.