A fresh Democrat has the opportunity to win the party's endorsement as a result of Biden's exit from the race. Who is it going to be?
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| A new Democrat has an opportunity to win the presidency as a result of Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential contest. [Kevin Mohatt/Reuters] |
After weeks of strain, behind-closed doors talks, and embarrassing public appearances, President Joe Biden finally said on Sunday that he will not be running for the Democratic nomination for a second term in the White House.
However, Biden's choice has put the Democratic Party in a previously unheard-of situation. Who will take his place and challenge Republican front-runner Donald Trump in November's presidential election?
However, Biden's choice has put the Democratic Party in a previously unheard-of situation. Who will take his place and challenge Republican front-runner Donald Trump in November's presidential election?
Party delegates are expected to convene on August 19 for the Democratic National Convention, where they will select Biden's replacement.
Al Jazeera analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of some of the most likely choices here, as well as names previous candidates who have since endorsed a different candidate.
Al Jazeera analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of some of the most likely choices here, as well as names previous candidates who have since endorsed a different candidate.
Vice President Kamala Harris
Having been Biden's vice president and running mate for almost four years, Harris is most likely his heir.
Additionally, Biden formally supported Harris for the nomination on Sunday.
However, Harris has found it difficult to leave her mark in the White House. Like many vice presidents, she has had a low-key job and suffered with low approval ratings in the beginning of her term.
For example, a Suffolk University and USA Today poll conducted in 2021 revealed that she had only a 28 percent favor rate, placing her below former vice presidents like Dick Cheney.
Additionally, Biden formally supported Harris for the nomination on Sunday.
However, Harris has found it difficult to leave her mark in the White House. Like many vice presidents, she has had a low-key job and suffered with low approval ratings in the beginning of her term.
For example, a Suffolk University and USA Today poll conducted in 2021 revealed that she had only a 28 percent favor rate, placing her below former vice presidents like Dick Cheney.
But Harris saw her star rising as Biden seemed ready to withdraw from the campaign in 2024. According to a study conducted last week by the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and The Associated Press, 74% of Democrats thought she did a "favourable" job.
A number of Congressmen, including old Biden ally Representative Jim Clyburn, also endorse the vice president. He told USA Today earlier this month, "If Biden isn't there, I'm going to be for Harris."
Harris, a native of Oakland, California, has held positions as US senator and attorney general of the state.
A number of Congressmen, including old Biden ally Representative Jim Clyburn, also endorse the vice president. He told USA Today earlier this month, "If Biden isn't there, I'm going to be for Harris."
Harris, a native of Oakland, California, has held positions as US senator and attorney general of the state.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Whitmer, unlike Newsom, is a candidate from Michigan, a state that is part of the industrial Rust Belt and is considered a desirable swing state in the current presidential race.
In response to mounting pressure on the embattled president to halt his reelection campaign, she has also endorsed Biden and campaigned for him.
After Biden's disastrous debate performance, she told NPR in early July, "I am an enthusiastic supporter of President Biden, and I'm going to work my tail off to make sure he gets a second term."
Whitmer was reared in Lansing, the state capital, and served on the Democratic National Committee prior to being elected to the state legislature and the governor's palace.
Self-described leftist, she and Trump have engaged in public, high-profile arguments, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak.
At the beginning of the pandemic, Whitmer ordered people to stay at home and put limits on large-scale events in her state. Trump, who disagreed with some safety regulations, was driven by this to label her a “dictator” and disparage her on social media.
In response to mounting pressure on the embattled president to halt his reelection campaign, she has also endorsed Biden and campaigned for him.
After Biden's disastrous debate performance, she told NPR in early July, "I am an enthusiastic supporter of President Biden, and I'm going to work my tail off to make sure he gets a second term."
Whitmer was reared in Lansing, the state capital, and served on the Democratic National Committee prior to being elected to the state legislature and the governor's palace.
Self-described leftist, she and Trump have engaged in public, high-profile arguments, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak.
At the beginning of the pandemic, Whitmer ordered people to stay at home and put limits on large-scale events in her state. Trump, who disagreed with some safety regulations, was driven by this to label her a “dictator” and disparage her on social media.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) declared later that year that it had thwarted a far-right plan to abduct Whitmer because of her COVID-19 policies.
However, Whitmer has galvanized the Democrats in her state, assisting in the party's historic triumph in 2022: not only did Whitmer retake the governor's house, but the Democrats also took control of the state Senate and House of Representatives.
That resulted in the party's first "trifecta" since 1984.
In recent days, Whitmer has resumed her national campaign against Trump. Prior to the former president's Saturday event in Michigan with his vice presidential choice, JD Vance, Whitmer released a lighthearted video in which she reminded Trump that the state protected abortion rights and accused him of breaking pledges made to Detroit autoworkers.
However, Whitmer has galvanized the Democrats in her state, assisting in the party's historic triumph in 2022: not only did Whitmer retake the governor's house, but the Democrats also took control of the state Senate and House of Representatives.
That resulted in the party's first "trifecta" since 1984.
In recent days, Whitmer has resumed her national campaign against Trump. Prior to the former president's Saturday event in Michigan with his vice presidential choice, JD Vance, Whitmer released a lighthearted video in which she reminded Trump that the state protected abortion rights and accused him of breaking pledges made to Detroit autoworkers.
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| On June 28, 2023, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker speaks to a gathering at Chicago's Old Post Office. [Evan Vucci/AP Photo] |
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
In addition to being a governor, Pritzker is a well-known surrogate for Biden on the campaign road, mobilizing support, much like many others on the shortlist to succeed Biden.
Despite being a traditional Democratic bastion, Pritzker's home state of Illinois is a crucial hub for the Midwest, a region where industry and agriculture coexist.
Wisconsin and other important swing states are not far from Illinois. In an attempt to benefit both himself and Biden, Pritzker has made a vow to construct a "blue wall" encircling the Midwest.
This is a fact about Midwestern Democrats that people on the coasts might not be aware of. Playing on his local identity while criticizing Trump, he declared on the campaign trail, "We will be Midwest nice to you, while we Midwest beat you."
Pritzker, a political veteran of several decades, co-chaired Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign.
His family owns Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, so when he set his sights on the governor's house in 2017, he contributed more than $42 million of his personal money to the campaign. Since then, he has won thrice.
Despite being a traditional Democratic bastion, Pritzker's home state of Illinois is a crucial hub for the Midwest, a region where industry and agriculture coexist.
Wisconsin and other important swing states are not far from Illinois. In an attempt to benefit both himself and Biden, Pritzker has made a vow to construct a "blue wall" encircling the Midwest.
This is a fact about Midwestern Democrats that people on the coasts might not be aware of. Playing on his local identity while criticizing Trump, he declared on the campaign trail, "We will be Midwest nice to you, while we Midwest beat you."
Pritzker, a political veteran of several decades, co-chaired Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign.
His family owns Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, so when he set his sights on the governor's house in 2017, he contributed more than $42 million of his personal money to the campaign. Since then, he has won thrice.
Pritzker has no problem criticizing Trump; he has referred to his far-right movement as a "cancer" that is consuming segments of the Republican Party. He has visited Indiana and Ohio as part of his campaign this month in an effort to weaken Trump's support base and energize Democrats.
"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, Kamala Harris," he said in an X post. "With our democracy at stake and our future on the line."
Previous competitors who have now endorsed Harris:
Governor Gavin Newsom of California:
Following several hours of quiet that raised questions about his goals, the 56-year-old supported Harris on Sunday.
"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, Kamala Harris," he said in an X post. "With our democracy at stake and our future on the line."
Though Newsom has consistently backed Biden in the past, political analysts saw that he seemed to be setting himself up for a potential presidential run of his own.
For example, Newsom traveled abroad last year to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He then made an appearance on Fox News to argue with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as the Republican presidential primary battle heated up.
For example, Newsom traveled abroad last year to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He then made an appearance on Fox News to argue with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as the Republican presidential primary battle heated up.
Despite leading a reliably blue state for two terms, Newsom was targeted for recall in 2021 in an attempt to remove him from office as governor of California. Recall supporters attacked Newsom for what they saw as a lenient stance on immigration and the state's high taxation rates. Nevertheless, the recall campaign was soundly rejected by Newsom, as over 61 percent of voters opposed it.
Despite this, the California governor—a former mayor of San Francisco—continually draws criticism for how he has handled the state's homelessness crisis and growing inequality as living expenses climb.
Despite this, the California governor—a former mayor of San Francisco—continually draws criticism for how he has handled the state's homelessness crisis and growing inequality as living expenses climb.
Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania:
Shapiro established a state record in 2022 when he ran for the governor's palace in the Rust Belt state of Pennsylvania, receiving over three million votes. In the previous presidential election, even though Biden only received 2.8 million votes in Pennsylvania, it was still enough for him to win the state.
In order to give Harris a strong support on Sunday, Shapiro put aside any hopes he may have had for the presidency for the time being.
He stated on X that "the road to victory in November runs right through Pennsylvania - where this collective work began." "The contrast in this race could not be clearer." "I'll exert every effort to support Kamala Harris's election as the 47th President of the United States."
In order to give Harris a strong support on Sunday, Shapiro put aside any hopes he may have had for the presidency for the time being.
He stated on X that "the road to victory in November runs right through Pennsylvania - where this collective work began." "The contrast in this race could not be clearer." "I'll exert every effort to support Kamala Harris's election as the 47th President of the United States."
Like Michigan, Pennsylvania can lean to the right or left, making it a vital battlefield for Democrats. Additionally, Pennsylvania, the state with the fifth-highest population, is in contention for a staggering 19 Electoral College votes.
Shapiro addressed gun violence, the opioid crisis, and government corruption during his six years as the state's attorney general before being elected governor.
However, Shapiro has drawn criticism since becoming governor, especially from progressive Democrats, for criticizing pro-Palestinian student demonstrators on college campuses.
Shapiro addressed gun violence, the opioid crisis, and government corruption during his six years as the state's attorney general before being elected governor.
However, Shapiro has drawn criticism since becoming governor, especially from progressive Democrats, for criticizing pro-Palestinian student demonstrators on college campuses.
Shapiro acknowledged his Jewish heritage when he stated, "I do feel a somewhat unique responsibility to speak out when I see this level of anti-Semitism on our campuses and in our communities," in an interview with Politico in April.
Source: AL JAZEERA
Source: AL JAZEERA
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