Informing, Inspiring, Impacting

Who Will Challenge Kamala Harris? Top Democrats Gear Up for 2024 Showdown

US Vice President Kamala Harris receives President Biden’s endorsement for 2024 presidential run .IMAGE: Getty Images

In Summary:

1) The United States will hold its elections on Tuesday, November 5, to elect the president and vice president.

2) President Biden announced he will not seek re-election, citing that this decision is in the best interest of both his party and the country.

3) Biden urged other Democrats to support his deputy, Kamala Harris, emphasizing the need for the party to unite and defeat Donald Trump.

On Sunday, July 21, President Joe Biden declared that he will not seek re-election after weeks of mounting pressure from fellow Democrats.

Immediately following his announcement, Biden endorsed his deputy, Kamala Harris, for the 2024 presidential race.

With Biden stepping aside, several prominent Democrats are anticipated to challenge Harris for the party’s nomination.

1) Jay Robert Pritzker:

The governor of Illinois and one of the wealthiest politicians in the United States, Pritzker, 59, secured the Democratic nomination for governor in 2018, defeating the Republican incumbent Bruce Rauner.

2) Gretchen Whitmer:

The 52-year-old governor of Michigan gained national attention within the Democratic Party after her 2018 gubernatorial victory.

Whitmer’s profile soared during Donald Trump’s presidency as a formidable critic of the then-president.

3) Joshua David Shapiro:

Shapiro, 51, has been the governor of Pennsylvania since 2023.

He previously served as the state’s attorney general from 2017 to 2023 and was a Montgomery County Board of Commissioners member from 2012 to 2017.

4) Gavin Newsom:

Serving as California’s governor since 2019, Newsom, 56, was previously the state’s lieutenant governor from 2011 to 2019 and the mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011.

5) Andy Beshear:

The governor of Kentucky since 2019, Beshear praised Biden and Harris in response to Biden’s announcement but did not formally endorse Harris.