Current President of the United States, Joe Biden, announced this Sunday that he is stepping out of the race for the White House. The president stated in a message published on social media platform X that he believes "it is in the best interest of my party and the country that I withdraw and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term."
Furthermore, Biden has extended his support to a potential candidacy of his Vice President, Kamala Harris. "Today, I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be our party's candidate this year. Democrats: it's time to unite and defeat Trump. Let's do it," Biden urged in another message to Americans and the international community.
While this endorsement helps Kamala Harris in becoming the Democratic Party's candidate for the upcoming election on November 5, the first female Vice President of the United States still faces several hurdles, including the possibility of not being nominated in favor of other potential candidates. Although she leads the list of possible replacements due to her national prominence and could continue using Biden's campaign funds, other names are also echoing in the Democratic lobby.
Prominent Candidates in the Democratic Party
Among them are the governors of California, Gavin Newsom; Illinois, J. B. Pritzker; Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer; Colorado, Jared Polis; and Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro.
Newsom has significant numbers in electoral contests. According to an ABC review, the Democrat has not lost an election since his early years as mayor of San Francisco, a position he held from 2004 to 2011. He assumed office at 36 years old, becoming the youngest in the role and securing a clear 72% of the votes. With 20 years in state politics, he has also served as lieutenant governor.
Newsom expressed regarding Biden that he "will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents."
Whitmer, on the other hand, is favored by the more progressive wing of the Democratic Party. In a statement following Biden's withdrawal, she said, "My job in this election remains the same: to do everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump."
Other names, although less prominent, are also being considered. These include Senator Bernie Sanders, who is a year older than Biden; Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg; and Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.
Replacing a presidential candidate during an ongoing campaign is unprecedented in modern U.S. history and presents a Herculean task. However, the pressure on Biden and his team has yielded results. The uncertainty generated by his performance in the debate against Donald Trump, the official Republican candidate, led to questioning the viability of his candidacy and the possible alternatives the party should consider.
Ultimately, it is up to the party delegates to decide on the new candidate. In this scenario, Biden could seek to sway the balance toward one candidate or another (as he has done with Kamala Harris) by asking for their vote, as the delegates were appointed due to their loyalty to him. However, they are not obligated to follow Biden's directives when choosing a successor. In this scenario, without a clear candidate, Democrats will vote at the "open" convention for their favorite, a procedure not seen since 1968.
At the Democratic National Convention, beginning on August 19, two scenarios could unfold: one where the candidate is already agreed upon, making the meeting a mere formality; or one with several potential successors, necessitating a vote that will not end until a majority is reached, and Biden's replacement is designated.
Key Questions About Biden's Withdrawal and Potential Successors
With Biden's unexpected withdrawal from the presidential race, several questions arise about the future of the Democratic Party and its potential candidates. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why did Joe Biden decide to withdraw from the presidential race?
Biden announced his withdrawal, stating that he believes it is in the best interest of his party and the country for him to focus solely on his duties as president for the remainder of his term.
Who are the main Democratic candidates likely to replace Biden?
The main contenders include Vice President Kamala Harris, and governors Gavin Newsom, J. B. Pritzker, Gretchen Whitmer, Jared Polis, and Josh Shapiro. Other potential candidates include Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, Cory Booker, and Amy Klobuchar.
What challenges does Kamala Harris face in becoming the Democratic nominee?
Despite Biden's support, Harris still needs to navigate various party processes and could face competition from other prominent Democratic figures. Delegates at the Democratic National Convention will ultimately decide the nominee.
When is the Democratic National Convention, and what are the possible outcomes?
The Democratic National Convention begins on August 19. If a candidate is already agreed upon, the convention will be a formality. Otherwise, delegates will vote until a majority is reached to designate Biden's replacement.