The 2024 field’s Dunkin' orders, after Pence’s apparent first stop

Politicians, they’re just like us. Except for the moments when they’re really not.

Take Mike Pence, the former vice president and likely 2024 Republican presidential contender, who traveled to New Hampshire this week and made a pit stop at one of New England’s most hallowed institutions: Dunkin’.

He tweeted it, of course. Or, his social media manager did. Either way, the vaguely worded caption that accompanied the photo of Pence waiting at the counter caused a stir. Was this Pence’s first Dunkin’ run… ever?

“I heard New Hampshire and America run on @dunkindonuts, had to check it out for myself,” Pence tweeted.

Pence got coffee and Munchkins for his staff and volunteers, his team said. But they didn’t elaborate on whether it was really his first cup of Dunkin’ joe. As of Thursday night, the post had garnered over 1,700 replies, more than 1,000 retweets, around 700 likes and at least three Ben and Casey Affleck memes.

In Massachusetts, a state that's been running on Dunkin’ since 1948 and boasts about having a location on almost every corner, it’s impossible to imagine a politician who hasn't stopped in for a lahge iced regulah. Well, maybe Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren. She drinks tea.

But Pence’s tweet got us thinking — does everyone who wants to be the next president run on Dunkin’?

So we checked. Some of the current and potential 2024 contenders wouldn’t reveal whether or not they’ve tried the beloved Bay State staple (lame). But here’s what we learned from those who did:

Nikki Haley

Dunkin' locations in South Carolina: 105

The former South Carolina governor ordered chocolate Munchkins on her last visit to a Dunks, in Rindge, N.H., per her campaign.

Asa Hutchinson

Dunkin' locations in Arkansas: 9

Despite hailing from a state with just 9 locations (the horror!), the former Arkansas governor does enjoy Dunks, according to his campaign. You can catch him sipping a decaf cappuccino.

Vivek Ramaswamy

Dunkin' locations in Ohio: 249

“He likes powder donut Munchkins and his great regret is that they have discontinued them at many Dunkin locations,” his campaign told us.

Tim Scott

Dunkin' locations in South Carolina: 105

No word on the senator's previous Dunkin’ experience, but his team said he’s a “big fan” of grits and sweet tea.

Chris Sununu

Dunkin' locations in New hampshire: 218

“A black iced coffee, no matter how cold it is out. And a strawberry glazed donut,” the governor said. “Always get the donut.”

Perry Johnson

Dunkin' locations in Michigan: 106

Johnson takes his coffee black, and is partial to local Michigan chain Biggby. The candidate “is never without a cup" of coffee, and rotates through a collection of his own mugs. His latest pickup is one from the world’s largest truck stop in Iowa, his campaign said.

Larry Elder

Dunkin' locations in California: 137

The radio host turned presidential hopeful doesn’t drink coffee, opting for tea (with or without caffeine) instead.

Joe Biden

Dunkin' locations in Delaware: 67

How the commander in chief takes his cup of joe remains a mystery, though he is a known coffee consumer. Based on the president's predilection for ice cream, might we be so bold as to suggest a butter pecan swirl?

Orders unknown

A few campaigns either didn't respond to (repeated) inquiries, or declined to share their boss's Dunkin' receipts. (Maybe they're Starbucks lovers?)

— Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis (Dunkin' locations in Florida: 884)

— Chris Christie (Dunkin' locations in New Jersey: 866)

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Marianne Williamson (Dunkin' locations in California: 137)

Either way, it's clear some of these White House hopefuls could learn a thing or two from the walking Dunks billboard himself — former Labor Secretary Marty Walsh.

When he was contacted for his order, just for kicks, the new National Hockey League Players Association leader responded in 17 minutes: "medium regular."