Joe Biden reiterated his determination to continue the election campaign.
Not that there weren't already ample doubts about the 81-year-old president seeking reelection to the nation's highest office, the first presidential debate forced Democrats to ask: Does Joe Biden have what it takes to beat Donald Trump again?
The first debate between Biden and Trump only heightened concerns about the sitting US president's ability to stay on top of domestic and international issues. While Biden stuttered and faltered, Trump used every opportunity to highlight that the Democrat was not up to the mark.
Biden has reiterated his commitment to continuing the campaign, but Democrats are growing increasingly nervous about their chances of winning, and as Trump closes his lead, party leaders are beginning to consider alternative plans if Biden decides to drop out.
Here are some possible candidates:
Vice President Kamala Harris
Vice President Kamala Harris is the clear favorite to succeed President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee. As Biden's vice president, she has become the face of the administration's campaign to protect reproductive rights. Harris has proven to be a staunch ally and fervent defender of the president, acknowledging a “slow start” in the debate but claiming to have given more substantive answers than Trump. She reiterated her support for Biden, saying, “Joe Biden is our nominee. We beat Trump once, and we're going to beat him again. That's it.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a rising star in the Democratic Party and is widely speculated to run for president in 2028. The two-term governor has been a vocal supporter of President Biden and has also expressed her own political ambitions, telling The New York Times that she hopes to see a Generation X president in 2028.
California Governor Gavin Newsom
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been a vocal supporter of a Biden administration and has frequently been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2028. Some Democrats believe Newsom could even serve as a surrogate for Biden in the upcoming election.
Newsom has been increasingly involved with conservative media and debated Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last year. He served as a Biden surrogate at a debate in Atlanta in June but avoided a question about whether he would consider replacing Biden. For now, Newsom has openly supported the president and was the headliner at Biden's campaign event in Michigan on July 4.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg entered the presidential race in early 2020. He is widely regarded as one of the most effective communicators in the Biden administration. During his tenure as Transportation Secretary, Buttigieg demonstrated his crisis management skills, navigating several high-profile incidents, including the East Palestine train derailment in Ohio, the Baltimore bridge collapse, and the Southwest Airlines schedule crisis in 2022.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Josh Shapiro has maintained high approval ratings in the battleground state of Pennsylvania since the 2022 election. The former Attorney General gained attention for his swift rebuilding of a collapsed Philadelphia bridge while he was governor, which has made bridge repairs a hot infrastructure talking point and sparked speculation about a possible 2028 presidential run.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has been a vocal opponent of President Trump on multiple occasions and an active supporter of President Biden. After a recent debate, Pritzker called Trump a “liar” and spoke about his 34 convictions, calling him a “felon who only thinks about himself.” Pritzker has consistently delivered on key progressive Democratic agenda items, including issues like abortion rights and gun control.
Possible candidates to replace Biden include:
Conservative Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who served two terms as governor, has been in the national spotlight since being re-elected last year, while Maryland Governor Wes Moore recently demonstrated his leadership in managing the Baltimore bridge collapse.
Senators Amy Klobuchar and Cory Booker have run for president before and are well known among Democrats.
Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock is also a strong contender, having shown he can win tough elections by winning close Senate races in swing states.
Recent polls have suggested that Michelle Obama is the only candidate with a chance of beating Trump in November, but she has said she has no plans to run for president.
