The 2024 presidential election is expected to be like no other before. While many anticipated a rematch between the incumbent president and a former president, a crowded primary has emerged. On the Republican side, over a dozen candidates are vying for the nomination. Although Donald Trump has a strong lead, his four felony indictments pose a unique challenge. Ron DeSantis has been the leading contender to Trump, but his support has weakened, giving hope to other Republicans in the field. The Democratic side also has a decent-sized shadow field, with some hesitations about a second Biden term. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., running as a Democrat but with right-wing views, has surprisingly gained double-digit support in polls. Additionally, there is the possibility of a serious third-party bid by No Labels or another candidate. Overall, the race seems simple on the surface but can be confusing beneath. This guide serves as a roadmap to navigate the candidates and will be updated as the campaign progresses.
REPUBLICANS
Donald Trump:
– Trump announced his bid for the White House in November 2022 at Mar-a-Lago.
– Reasons for running include revenge, boredom, rivalry, fear of prosecution, and psychological hang-ups.
– Trump has mixed support among Republicans, making him not a clear front-runner for the nomination.
– His chances of winning the nomination are not guaranteed, despite past successes.
Ron DeSantis:
– DeSantis, the current governor of Florida, previously served as a U.S. representative.
– He announced his run on Twitter Spaces with Elon Musk on May 24.
– DeSantis offers a combination of Trump-style culture war and conservative politics.
– Although he initially seemed like a strong competitor to Trump, his polling numbers have since faded.
Nikki Haley:
– Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, announced her campaign on February 14.
– Her approach tries to distance herself from Trump’s unpopularity without openly attacking him.
– She may appeal to voters with her strong focus on foreign-policy hawkishness.
– While lagging behind the top-tier candidates, a strong performance in the first debate could boost her chances.
Vivek Ramaswamy:
– Ramaswamy is a 38-year-old biotech millionaire and a prominent critic of “wokeism” and ESG investing.
– He announced his campaign on February 21, emphasizing the need to restore faith, patriotism, and hard work.
– Surprisingly, Ramaswamy has polled well, currently sitting at third place behind Trump and DeSantis.
– However, his slick presentation style and questionable pronouncements may hinder his success.
Asa Hutchinson:
– Hutchinson, formerly a longtime member of Congress and governor of Arkansas, announced his run on April 2.
– He has been critical of Trump, particularly regarding his attempts to steal the 2020 election.
– Hutchinson’s appeal lies among old-school, conservative Republicans who also oppose Trump.
– His chances of winning the nomination are unlikely.
Tim Scott:
– Scott, the only Black Republican senator from South Carolina, announced his campaign on May 22.
– While not overtly expressing his ambition like other candidates, Scott has built a solid Republican record.
– He was aligned with Trump but maintained independence from him.
– Scott is considered part of the second-tier candidates, often just falling short of breaking out.
Mike Pence:
– Pence, the former vice president, governor of Indiana, and U.S. representative, launched his campaign on June 7 with a video and an event in Iowa.
– He has a strong conservative-Christian political agenda and promises a kinder face for the Trump agenda.
– Pence’s support primarily comes from conservative Christians but is limited overall.
– His chances of winning the nomination are uncertain.
Chris Christie:
– Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, has had a tumultuous journey from respected governor to Trump critic.
– He announced his campaign on June 6 in New Hampshire.
– Christie’s desire to run stems from a desire to challenge Trump and other Republicans who refrain from criticizing him.
– His main support comes from Trump-skeptical donors and liberal pundits, but his chances of winning are highly doubtful.
Doug Burgum:
– Burgum, a self-made software billionaire serving his second term as governor of North Dakota, launched his campaign on June 7 in Fargo.
– It is unclear why Burgum wants to run, as his campaign announcement video heavily focused on North Dakota.
– He believes in the “silent majority” but lacks a clear message.
– Although the extent of his campaign’s success is uncertain, it seems more like a reelection effort.
This guide provides insights into each candidate’s background, campaign announcement, motivations, and level of support. Stay updated as the campaign progresses by checking in regularly.
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