The BEST they could do would be Haley
Yeah I know you believe all republicans will move the party towards authoritarianism, but I believe there are a few who will slow down the trend or perhaps even make it take a temporary step backwards. Haley is one. Romney, Liz Cheney, Hutchinson, several others fall into that group.
Trump is a major accelerator of fascism. He's five steps forward in that direction for the GOP.