Who could replace Joe Biden as the 2024 Democratic nominee?
Joe Biden’s move has left the top of the Democratic ticket up for grabs. Here’s who else might run against Donald Trump.
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The Democratic presidential ticket is now up for grabs following US President Joe Biden’s announcement that he is withdrawing from the 2024 race.
Following news that the 81-year-old would remain as president but withdraw from his re-election campaign, he endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris, to be the Democratic nominee for president.
She is the first female US vice-president and would become the first female president of the United States if she is officially nominated by the party at its convention and beats Donald Trump in November.
Biden’s endorsement of Harris will hold influence among delegates at the convention, although it is not legally binding.
The Democratic National Committee’s chair Jaime Harrison said in a statement that the party would “undertake a transparent and orderly process” to select “a candidate who can defeat Donald Trump in November”.
By quitting the US presidential race so late in the campaign, Biden has put the Democratic Party in uncharted territory.
So who are the most likely candidates to head the Democratic bid for the White House in November?
KAMALA HARRIS
Harris, born in Oakland, California, is the current – and 49th – Vice President of the United States under Biden. She is the first female vice president and the highest-ranking female official in US history, as well as the first African-American and first Asian-American vice president.
Her nomination would be in some ways the most simple, given she’s already on the ticket and is the beneficiary of the same “donation stream,” as Biden.
Harris praised Biden’s “extraordinary leadership” and his “selfless and patriotic act” to drop out of the race.
“I am honoured to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” she said in a statement. “We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”
Bill and Hillary Clinton backed Biden’s support of Harris.
“We are honoured to join the President in endorsing Vice President Harris and will do whatever we can to support her,” the Clintons said in a statement posted on X.
“Now is the time to support Kamala Harris and fight with everything we’ve got to elect her.”
At least four Democrats often mentioned as top presidential contenders - California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg - have endorsed Harris.
GAVIN NEWSOM
The California governor, who Democratic pundits say could stand-in for Biden.
However in the lead-up to the 2024 race, Newsom consistently expressed no interest in entering the contest.
After Biden’s announcement, Newsom posted a statement on social media praising the president’s leadership and calling him a “history-making president.”
“He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents,” Newsom said.
He later said on X: “Tough. Fearless. Tenacious. With our democracy at stake and our future on the line, no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump’s dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction than America’s Vice President,
@KamalaHarris”.
GRETCHEN WHITMER
Whitmer’s name has been prominently mentioned as a potential successor since the presidential debate.
However, the two-term governor of Michigan clarified soon after Biden announced his decision to step down, stating that “my role in this election remains unchanged.”
She is more likely to run for president in 2028.
PETE BUTTIGIEG
Buttigieg is the current Transportation Secretary.
The 42-year-old has already been vetted on the national stage, after running for president in 2020.
The Indiana native has demonstrated his ability to appeal to both Democrats and Republicans, distinguishing himself as one of the rare Biden administration officials to make appearances on Fox News.
However he posted his support for Harris in a post on X: “I will do all that I can to help elect
@KamalaHarris the next President of the United States.”
JOSH SHAPIRO
He is the first-term governor of Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state.
Shapiro, 51, gained national prominence by defeating a staunchly conservative opponent in the state’s 2022 gubernatorial race.
His victory not only secured the governor’s mansion for his party but also marked the first time in almost sixty years that a successor from the same party had been elected governor.
JB PRITZKER
Longtime Democrat Pritzker, 59, has been Illinois governor since 2019 and is now in his second term.
He’s been a strong voice on issues like gun control and reproductive rights.
Pritzker, who is heir to the Hyatt hotel chain and Illinois Governor, called Trump a “liar” after the debate.
WES MOORE
Moore is another emerging figure in the party whose name has been mentioned, and his national stature grew in recent months while he spearheaded Maryland’s efforts in response to the Baltimore bridge collapse.
The 45-year-old Governor of Maryland was prominently name-checked as an interesting contender in a George Clooney opinion piece earlier this month.
He is also the youngest Democratic governor in the country and the only Black governor.
ANDY BESHEAR
At 46, Beshear stands out for his unusual popularity as a Democrat in a predominantly Republican state.
The son of former Kentucky governor Steve Beshear, he defied GOP dominance last year to secure re-election.
Beshea, who is the Governor of Kentucky, has skilfully differentiated himself from mainstream Democrats, cultivating a political persona that could potentially broaden his appeal in a general election more than other Democratic candidates.
He was also name-checked by George Clooney this month.
JOE MANCHIN
West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin is fielding calls from Democratic donors and officials encouraging him to re-register as a Democrat and run for the Democratic nomination.
Manchin, a Democrat turned Independent, called on Biden to step aside, before the president eventually announced he was dropping his re-election bid. Manchin initially planned to speak out about Biden’s political fate earlier this month but was asked to hold off.
MICHELLE OBAMA
Well-known and popular from her time as first lady when her husband Barack Obama was president, there are many on the Democrat side who would love to see Michelle Obama as the party’s nominee.
She is said to be the only person who could beat Trump, according to a recent Reuters IPSOS poll.
However, she has previously ruled out on running for the top job.
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