With Joe Biden dropping out of the presidential race, the Democrats need a new candidate – and quickly, with the election in just over 100 days.
Biden’s Vice President Kamala Harris is the strong frontrunner, already winning endorsements from Biden himself as well as Bill and Hillary Clinton. However, Harris hasn’t had a perfect time as Veep, sometimes struggling with her brief covering the US-Mexico border. She also failed to pick up momentum during her run to be a candidate in her own right in 2020, and dropped out early.
With the Democratic conference next month, some candidates will still feel they have time to put themselves forward as an alternative to Harris in such a closely fought election. But who are they?
Gretchen Whitmer
Gretchen Whitmer is Governor for Michigan, and has gained prominence over the past decade. The 52-year-old gave the Democratic response to Donald Trump’s 2020 State of the Union address, and criticised him for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Near the end of that year, the FBI uncovered a plot to kidnap her, which led to nine men either being convicted by jury or pleading guilty.
In her 2022 reelection campaign as Governor, Whitmer focused on reproductive rights, fighting for abortion rights. Whitmer did say earlier this month that she would not step in as a candidate this year if Biden were to step aside. She is currently on a national press tour for her new memoir.
J.B. Pritzker
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, 58, is an heir to the Hyatt fortune – the Chicago based hotel group. His net worth of $3.4 billion makes him the richest politician holding office in the U.S. Having been re-elected in a normally Republican state, Pritzker has been praised for balancing budgets in his Illinois, and increased education funding. If he doesn’t run himself, he’s been highly tipped as a possible Vice President for Harris too.
Gavin Newsom
California Governor Gavin Newsom, 56, gained fame as mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011. In his first year in the job, he directed the San Francisco city–county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, violating state law. He was lieutenant governor from 2010, and then became Governor in 2018. Newsome was a college baseball star and started a successful wine company.
He has staunchly defended Biden this year, and when the president dropped out of the race, Newsom backed Harris, saying she is “Tough. Fearless. Tenacious” and there is “no one is better to prosecute the case against Donald Trump's dark vision and guide our country in a healthier direction”.
Andy Beshear
Andy Beshear is Kentucky Governor, who has a reputation for winning votes he wouldn’t have been expected to in a Republican-leaning state. He focuses on the concerns of ordinary Americans, and leading the response to tornadoes and flooding in the state. He also holds regular news conferences to get his message across. He says his Christian faith guides his politics. Previously an attorney, Beshear's father was two-term Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear. Unlike other highly tipped runners, Beshear has not yet endorsed Harris.
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama is thought to “hate politics”, and her best-selling autobiography shows how much she struggled with her husband Barack’s time trying and succeeding to get into the Oval Office. However, with so much at stake for the Democratic party, many would like the popular Michelle to run. The Obamas have not yet endorsed Harris for the nomination, leading to increased speculation that she could throw her hat in the ring.
Speaking at the Democratic Convention in 2020, Michelle gave an impressive speech which reminded Politicos of her star power. “Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country…. He is clearly in over his head,” she said.
