Update on 2024 Presidential Candidates

While it is only June 2023, many 2024 presidential candidates have already started their campaigns. There are many Republican candidates who have announced their intention to run in 2024. This includes former President Donald Trump; Florida Governor Ron DeSantis; former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley; South Carolina Senator Tim Scott; former Vice President Mike Pence, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Other GOP candidates include businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, North Dakota governor Doug Burgum, and talk radio host Larry Elder. Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have officially announced their re-election bid. Here, Election Central takes a closer look at these developments. 

Biden and Harris 

President Biden and Vice President Harris did not formally announce until April 25, 2023. President Biden made his announcement in the form of a video entitled “Freedom,” which talks about the ways in which Biden has fought off attacks from right-wing extremists while preserving Americans’ fundamental rights. The video includes images from events such as the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, and abortion rights protests. It also critiqued the Republican Party for its policies regarding social security, voting rights, and health care.  

As the incumbent, Biden is likely to win the nomination for a second term. However, his age is one concern among Democratic supporters. Biden is already the oldest president in history, at 80 years old. Even so, polls show that about eighty-one percent of Democrats say they will support his campaign. Two Democrats–lawyer Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and self-help author Marianne Williamson—have expressed plans to run against Biden in the primary but have not officially announced 

The Republican Nominees 

Donald Trump announced his candidacy in November 2022. He remained the sole announced Republican candidate until February 2023 when Nikki Haley joined the race. Vivek Ramaswamy also announced his candidacy in February. Ramaswamy works in the health care industry.  

Asa Hutchinson and Larry Elder both announced their campaigns in April. Hutchinson has spoken out against separating the United States from world affairs and emphasizes a need for campaign civility. Hutchinson has served in Congress and as a state governor. In contrast, Larry Elder has no political experience. He was, however, the Republican with the most votes in a failed effort to recall California Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021. 

Tim Scott joined the race in May 2023, but the impact of his announcement was diminished by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also announcing that same month. DeSantis made his announcement on Twitter and has strong GOP support in Florida.  

Mike Pence announced plans to launch his presidential campaign in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 7, 2023 (his sixty-fourth birthday). Pence appeals to many Republican voters as he represents a traditional GOP candidate. Chris Christie, like Pence, was once a supporter of Trump. But they both now wish to separate themselves from Trump while appealing to less extreme Republican voters.  Doug Burgum also joined the Republican crowd in June. Before being elected as North Dakota’s governor, Burgum was a successful businessman in the software industry. 

Each of these Republican candidates want to win early in the primary season  to separate themselves from the crowded group of candidates. The official date of the Republican Party caucus in Iowa has not been set but it is expected to be in January 2024.  

What Do You Think? Based on what you’ve read here, and what you’ve heard and seen in the news, which candidate (Republican or Democrat) do you think has the strongest chances of winning the 2024 election at this point? Why?