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2024 Republican presidential candidates: Who is challenging Donald Trump? 2024 Republican presidential candidates: Who is challenging Donald Trump?
(5 days later)
Donald Trump is the front-runner - but for how long?Donald Trump is the front-runner - but for how long?
The race for the 2024 Republican White House nomination is heating up. Candidates for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination are making their final pitches to voters as election season heats up.
Several big-name and dark-horse contenders have joined a crowded field - and some have already called in quits. A crowded field including several big-name and dark-horse contenders is now beginning to thin out.
All are seeking to unseat the current front-runner, former President Donald Trump, who continues to dominate in national opinion polls. All are seeking to unseat front-runner Donald Trump, as the former president continues to dominate in national opinion polls.
The eventual winner will challenge the presumptive Democratic nominee, President Joe Biden, in the general election of November next year.The eventual winner will challenge the presumptive Democratic nominee, President Joe Biden, in the general election of November next year.
A very quick guide to US Republican primariesA very quick guide to US Republican primaries
Ron DeSantisRon DeSantis
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has worked hard to emulate Mr Trump, and is often viewed as the candidate most capable of defeating him in a head-to-head race. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was once viewed as the candidate most capable of defeating Mr Trump in a head-to-head race, but he has since faded.
Boosted to the governorship by Mr Trump's endorsement in 2018, he romped to re-election in last year's midterms by more than 1.5 million votes, the largest margin in the state in more than four decades. Under his tenure, Republican voters outnumber Democrats in the state for the first time. Serving two terms as a little-known member of the House of Representatives, the former naval officer was boosted to the governorship by Mr Trump's endorsement in 2018.
After romping to re-election in last year's midterms by more than 1.5 million votes, the largest margin in the state in more than four decades, he was touted as the man to carry his fellow Floridian's "America First" movement forward.
At 44 years old, the Harvard and Yale-educated lawyer is still a relative newcomer in US politics.At 44 years old, the Harvard and Yale-educated lawyer is still a relative newcomer in US politics.
He once served in the US Navy, including a tour in Iraq. He was also a little-known member of the House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018. But he has seen his star rise considerably since becoming governor, a role in which he has positioned himself as an enthusiastic culture warrior.
But Mr DeSantis has seen his star rise considerably since he became governor, a role in which he has positioned himself as an enthusiastic culture warrior.
Six ways it's harder for Trump this timeSix ways it's harder for Trump this time
WATCH: Five things to know about Ron DeSantisWATCH: Five things to know about Ron DeSantis
He has backed legislation to defund diversity and inclusion programmes, ban teaching on gender identity in public schools, ban drag shows and gender-affirming care for minors, restrict abortions and loosen gun laws. He is also mired in an escalating legal battle with Walt Disney World. He has backed legislation to defund diversity and inclusion programmes, ban teaching on gender identity in public schools, ban drag shows and gender-affirming care for minors, restrict abortions and loosen gun laws.
The governor has touted his record as a "blueprint" for conservative leadership, and supporters have touted him as a drama-free alternative to re-nominating the former president. Under his tenure, Republican voters outnumber Democrats in the state for the first time.
Mr Trump has responded by attacking him almost daily on social media. The governor has touted his record as a "blueprint" for conservative leadership, and supporters have presented him as a drama-free alternative to re-nominating the former president.
Though Mr DeSantis enjoyed a considerable lead over most of his Republican rivals in earlier polling, a September poll from the University of New Hampshire suggested his popularity had taken a hit. But an awkward personal brand, campaign trail flubs, financial troubles and an onslaught from the Trump camp have taken the wind out of the sails of a once-promising bid.
It indicates he is currently placed far behind Mr Trump and nearly tied with Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley and Chris Christie. Now Mr DeSantis is focusing much of his energy on beating Mr Trump in Iowa, the first state in which Republicans cast their primary ballots, even as polls suggest his campaign has lost all its momentum. National polls show him sitting in a distant second place.
Nikki HaleyNikki Haley
Nikki Haley announced her bid for the presidency in mid-February, becoming the first major Republican candidate to commit to taking on Mr Trump. Nikki Haley was the first major Republican candidate to launch a campaign against Mr Trump, jumping into the race in mid-February.
Once considered one of the Republican Party's brightest young prospects, Ms Haley, 51, has seen her profile diminish in recent years. Born in South Carolina to Punjabi Sikh immigrants, Ms Haley, 51, was once considered one of the Republican Party's brightest young prospects.
Born in South Carolina to Punjabi Sikh immigrants, Ms Haley became the youngest governor in the country in 2009. She became the youngest governor in the country in 2009, later earning national attention after calling for the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina Capitol.
She earned national attention in 2015 after calling for the removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina Capitol.
Despite saying she was "not a fan" of Mr Trump in 2016, she later accepted his nomination to be the US ambassador to the United Nations, a tenure marked by her dramatic exit from a UN Security Council meeting as a Palestinian envoy was speaking.Despite saying she was "not a fan" of Mr Trump in 2016, she later accepted his nomination to be the US ambassador to the United Nations, a tenure marked by her dramatic exit from a UN Security Council meeting as a Palestinian envoy was speaking.
Meet the trailblazer who's challenging Trump in 2024Meet the trailblazer who's challenging Trump in 2024
Her campaign, which includes a call for mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old, stresses the need for "a new generation" of US leaders. Her campaign, which includes a call for mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old, has stressed the need for "a new generation" of leaders.
Ms Haley has seen her poll numbers rise since the first Republican debate in August, and they indicate she now ranks second or third with voters in the first three nominating states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. At campaign events and debates, the lone woman in the race has sought to find middle ground on hot-button issues like abortion, has called out both parties on issues like the debt and has demonstrated her foreign policy expertise.
As a result, Ms Haley has seen her poll numbers rise since the first debate in August. Her campaign is hoping a strong performance in the first three nominating states of Iowa, New Hampshire and her native South Carolina can position her as the chief alternative to Mr Trump.
Vivek RamaswamyVivek Ramaswamy
Vivek Ramaswamy, 37, launched his dark-horse White House bid during a late February appearance on the Fox News channel. Vivek Ramaswamy, 37, launched a dark-horse bid for the White House during a late February appearance on the Fox News channel.
An Indian-American biotech entrepreneur with no previous political experience, he was a regular fixture on Fox host Tucker Carlson's daily programme, formerly the most-watched cable news show in the US.An Indian-American biotech entrepreneur with no previous political experience, he was a regular fixture on Fox host Tucker Carlson's daily programme, formerly the most-watched cable news show in the US.
The Harvard and Yale graduate argues the country is in the midst of a national identity crisis driven by a decline in faith, patriotism and meritocracy. The Harvard and Yale graduate ran a pharmaceutical company from 2014 to 2021, then co-founded Strive Asset Management, which shirks the "divisive" environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) framework and offers itself as an alternative to large firms like Blackrock.
He ran a pharmaceutical company from 2014 to 2021, then co-founded Strive Asset Management, which shirks the "divisive" environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) framework and offers itself as an alternative to large firms like Blackrock. He is also the author of Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam. He is also the author of Woke, Inc: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam.
Mr Ramaswamy argues the country is in the midst of a national identity crisis driven by a decline in faith, patriotism and meritocracy. He frequently touts "10 truths" on God, gender and other ideas.
Eight things presidential candidate Ramaswamy believesEight things presidential candidate Ramaswamy believes
The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US presidentThe Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president
Following Mr Trump's federal indictment over his alleged mishandling of classified documents, Mr Ramaswamy vowed that, if elected president, he would pardon Mr Trump of any crimes and criticised the rest of the field for not following his lead. He has also positioned himself as the most fervent defender of Mr Trump in the Republican field, even going so far as to vow that - if elected president - he would pardon the ex-president of any crimes.
Like Ms Haley, Mr Ramaswamy has enjoyed more favourable poll numbers since the first Republican debate, during which the political newcomer captured the spotlight. The political newcomer enjoyed a brief polling bump after a show-stealing performance at the first Republican debate, but rivals have ridiculed his lack of experience.
He drew also controversy that same week over remarks about the 11 September attacks in an interview with the Atlantic. Mr Ramaswamy also recently drew controversy over remarks he made about the 9/11 terror attacks.
"I think it is legitimate to say 'How many police, how many federal agents were on the planes that hit the twin towers?'" Mr Ramaswamy said in the interview. "I think it is legitimate to say 'How many police, how many federal agents were on the planes that hit the twin towers?'" he said in an interview with the Atlantic.
After he said he had been misquoted by the magazine, the Atlantic released audio from the interview showing it was an accurate quote. After he claimed to have been misquoted, something he has often said, the magazine released audio of the exchange proving it was an accurate quote.
Chris ChristieChris Christie
The former New Jersey governor announced his candidacy on 6 June at a town hall event in New Hampshire - the state that hosts the second contest in the Republican primary race. Chris Christie announced his candidacy in June at a town hall event in New Hampshire - the state that hosts the second contest in the primary race.
After his own 2016 presidential bid failed, Chris Christie allied himself with Mr Trump, leading the incoming president's transition team and preparing him for debates against Mr Biden in 2020. Mr Christie, 60, served two terms as New Jersey governor from 2010-18. Though massively popular in his first term, his second was overshadowed by a political scandal involving bridge lane closures - part of an alleged political vendetta against a Democratic mayor - and another involving beach closures.
He left office with a job approval rating of 14%, the lowest in state history.
Before being elected governor, he had served as New Jersey's top prosecutor under President George W Bush from 2002-08, and famously sent Charles Kushner - the father of Mr Trump's son-in-law Jared - to prison.
After a 2016 presidential bid with some notable moments flamed out, Mr Christie allied himself with Mr Trump, leading the incoming president's transition team and preparing him for debates against Mr Biden in 2020.
But he has become a vociferous critic of Mr Trump since the US Capitol riots.But he has become a vociferous critic of Mr Trump since the US Capitol riots.
Chris Christie's long-shot mission to torpedo TrumpChris Christie's long-shot mission to torpedo Trump
The sharp-tongued Mr Christie, 60, previewed an attack line on Mr Trump at a New Hampshire town hall in April, saying: "Donald Trump is a TV star, nothing more, nothing less. Let me suggest to you that in putting him back in the White House, the re-runs will be worse than the original show." The sharp-tongued politician has said Mr Trump is "a TV star, nothing more, nothing less. Let me suggest to you that in putting him back in the White House, the re-runs will be worse than the original show."
Mr Christie served two terms as New Jersey governor from 2010-18. Massively popular in his first term, his second was overshadowed by a political scandal involving bridge lane closures - part of an alleged political vendetta against a Democratic mayor. But his campaign's lack of traction suggests that Republican voters have little appetite for an acerbic Trump critic.
Before being elected as governor, Mr Christie served as New Jersey's top prosecutor under President George W Bush from 2002-08, and famously sent Charles Kushner - the father of Mr Trump's son-in-law Jared - to prison.
Tim ScottTim Scott
Senator Tim Scott has a decades-long career in South Carolina politics and entered the race in May with nearly $22m (£18m) - more than his rivals - in cash on hand. Senator Tim Scott entered the race in May with nearly $22m (£18m) - more than his rivals - in cash on hand, but he has been mired in single digits in every poll from the outset.
The only black man to ever serve in both chambers of Congress, the 57-year-old has represented his home state in the Senate since 2013. The only black man to ever serve in both chambers of Congress, Mr Scott is the grandson of a cotton field worker and the son of a single mother, and he has often spoken of how his family rose "from cotton to Congress" in a lifetime.
Mr Scott is the grandson of a cotton field worker and the son of a single mother, and he has often spoken of how his family rose "from cotton to Congress" in a lifetime. The 57-year-old has a decades-long career in South Carolina politics and has represented his home state in the Senate since 2013.
He launched his 2024 bid vowing to turn around "a nation in retreat" and revive America's "culture of greatness". He launched his 2024 bid vowing to turn around "a nation in retreat" and revive America's "culture of greatness", with political pundits observing that his 'happy warrior' demeanour contrasts with his more pugilistic rivals.
Well-liked among his colleagues, he quickly earned endorsements from two fellow senators, including John Thune, the chamber's second highest-ranking Republican.Well-liked among his colleagues, he quickly earned endorsements from two fellow senators, including John Thune, the chamber's second highest-ranking Republican.
But he's not the only South Carolina Republican to throw their hat in the ring. Amid recent calls to drop out of the race, he vowed to stay in it until the Iowa caucus in January.
Asa HutchinsonAsa Hutchinson
Former two-term Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced his run for president during an April interview with ABC News just days after Mr Trump was indicted on criminal charges in New York. Former two-term Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced his bid in an April interview with ABC News, just days after Mr Trump was indicted on criminal charges in New York.
Mr Hutchinson, 72, has said Mr Trump's legal problems are "a sideshow and distraction" that should prompt him to withdraw from the race.Mr Hutchinson, 72, has said Mr Trump's legal problems are "a sideshow and distraction" that should prompt him to withdraw from the race.
The former attorney and businessman was the youngest federal prosecutor in the nation under the Ronald Reagan administration.The former attorney and businessman was the youngest federal prosecutor in the nation under the Ronald Reagan administration.
He also served two terms in the US House of Representatives, including as a prosecutor in Bill Clinton's impeachment trial, and was George W Bush's Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) chief.He also served two terms in the US House of Representatives, including as a prosecutor in Bill Clinton's impeachment trial, and was George W Bush's Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) chief.
Presenting himself as a "non-Trump" candidate with experience and a record of leadership across multiple roles, he has vowed to lean into "common sense, consistent conservatism".Presenting himself as a "non-Trump" candidate with experience and a record of leadership across multiple roles, he has vowed to lean into "common sense, consistent conservatism".
But after barely qualifying for the first Republican debate, he has been unable to make the stage the next two times.
Doug BurgumDoug Burgum
The former software executive and current North Dakota governor confirmed a run for the White House on 7 June saying: "If you want more small-town common sense in Washington and our big cities, we'll make that happen." North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum confirmed a run for the White House in June, saying: "If you want more small-town common sense in Washington and our big cities, we'll make that happen."
The New York Times assessed his candidacy: "As the leader of his deep-red state, Mr Burgum has overseen a period of significant economic expansion, but he has also assented to staunchly conservative social policies, even as he has downplayed his role in them." The former software executive is little-known on the national scene, but he has overseen significant economic expansion as the leader of his deep-red state.
Perry Johnson He subscribes to staunchly conservative social policies, on issues like abortion and LGBT rights.
Perry Johnson, a 75-year-old businessman who tried to run for Michigan governor last year but was disqualified, joined the presidential race in March. But he has barely factored in the race, with largely forgettable appearances at the first two debates.
He is touting a plan to reignite the economy by shaving 2% in federal spending every year.
Ryan Binkley
A business executive from Texas, Ryan Binkley is also a Christian pastor.
He has said he "heard calls from the Lord about what's needed" and will prioritise "solutions for the country".
Who has dropped out?Who has dropped out?
After a nearly five-month campaign, former vice-president Mike Pence called it quits.After a nearly five-month campaign, former vice-president Mike Pence called it quits.
Mr Pence had languished in recent polls and had struggled to gain the support of Republican voters.Mr Pence had languished in recent polls and had struggled to gain the support of Republican voters.
Miami's 45-year-old Cuban-born mayor, Francis Suarez, was the only Hispanic candidate in the race. He was the first to drop out.Miami's 45-year-old Cuban-born mayor, Francis Suarez, was the only Hispanic candidate in the race. He was the first to drop out.
Former Texas congressman Will Hurd announced he was suspending the race and backing Nikki Haley.Former Texas congressman Will Hurd announced he was suspending the race and backing Nikki Haley.
The conservative talk radio host and ex-candidate for California governor, Larry Elder, dropped out after accusing the Republican party of having "rigged the rules of the game" to keep him out of the debates.The conservative talk radio host and ex-candidate for California governor, Larry Elder, dropped out after accusing the Republican party of having "rigged the rules of the game" to keep him out of the debates.
Perry Johnson, a 75-year-old businessman touting a plan to shave 2% in federal spending every year, dropped out of the race in late October.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Republican PartyRepublican Party
US election 2024US election 2024
Donald TrumpDonald Trump
Mike PenceMike Pence
United StatesUnited States
Ron DeSantisRon DeSantis