Five Republicans are competing for the party’s nomination in the 2024 general elections in the US, while President Joe Biden is the Democratic Party’s candidate. Several candidates from other parties have also joined the race.
Here is a list of candidates for the American elections.
Republican Party
1. Donald Trump
- Responding to accusations in four different criminal cases, Trump has used them to boost his popularity among Republicans and raise funds. He is currently the favorite with 49% in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll.
- Trump, 77, dismisses the charges as a political witch hunt to prevent his return to the White House, a claim denied by the Department of Justice. If re-elected, he vows revenge against his alleged enemies and has adopted increasingly authoritarian language, even stating he would be a “dictator for a day.”
- Promises radical changes, including the destruction of the federal civil service to make way for loyalists, and the implementation of tougher immigration policies such as mass deportations and ending birthright citizenship. He also pledged to eliminate Obamacare and impose stricter trade restrictions with China.
2. Nikki Haley
- Former governor of South Carolina and Trump’s ex-ambassador to the United Nations, 51-year-old Nikki Haley emphasizes her relative youth compared to Biden and Trump. She also highlights her background as the daughter of Indian immigrants.
- Haley, with 12% support among Republicans, positions herself as a solid conservative who can address gender and race issues more acceptably than many of her peers. She criticizes Trump’s chaotic and divisive management style.
3. Ron DeSantis
- The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, 45, leans to the right of Trump on several key social issues, but his campaign has struggled to gain momentum. He is far behind Trump in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, with 11% support.
- DeSantis has faced challenges in his campaign, including staff turnovers, and aims to stop Trump in Iowa, where the party’s first vote takes place. He gained some strength when Iowa’s popular governor, Kim Reynolds, endorsed him on November 6.
4. Vivek Ramaswamy
- A 38-year-old former investor and biotechnology executive, Vivek Ramaswamy, entered the race as a potential alternative to Trump but failed to gain traction. He obtained 4% support from Republicans in the Reuters/Ipsos poll.
- Ramaswamy, a fervent supporter of Trump, has attracted criticism for his verbal attacks in candidate debates and endorsement of conspiracy theories, including suggesting the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack was an inside job.
5. Asa Hutchinson
- The former governor of Arkansas, Asa Hutchinson, 73, launched his White House bid in April, urging Trump to step aside to deal with his first accusation. Hutchinson, qualifying for only the first Republican debate, received 0% support in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Democratic Party
1. Joe Biden
- At 81, Biden, the oldest US president, seeks to convince voters of his stamina for another four years amid concerns about his age and low approval ratings. The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll puts him at 35%, almost tied with Trump.
- Biden’s campaign focuses on the economy as a significant challenge, with inflation reaching 40-year highs in 2022, impacting voters’ pockets. He led the Western response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and supported Israel in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
2. Marianne Williamson
- Best-selling author and self-help guru Marianne Williamson, 71, launched her second presidential candidacy with a platform of “justice and love.” She ran as a Democrat in the 2020 primaries but dropped out before any votes were cast.
3. Dean Phillips
- Little-known American congressman from Minnesota, Dean Phillips, a 54-year-old millionaire entrepreneur and co-founder of an ice cream company, announced an unlikely challenge to Biden in October, citing doubts about the president’s ability to win another term.
Independents
1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 69, is running as an independent after initially challenging Biden for the Democratic nomination. Recent Reuters/Ipsos polls show Kennedy may impact Biden more than Trump, with 18% support when included as an option.
2. Cornel West
- Political activist, philosopher, and academic Cornel West, 70, initially ran as a Green Party candidate but announced an independent candidacy in October, promising to end poverty and ensure housing.
3. Jill Stein
- Physician Jill Stein, 73, renewed her 2016 Green Party candidacy on November 9, accusing Democrats of betraying promises. Stein raised millions for recounts after Trump’s 2016 victory, resulting in a review in Wisconsin that confirmed Trump’s win.
