Here are the people who have announced and who might later.
(Bloomberg) — The number of people who are running for president in 2024 is growing — slowly. President Joe Biden has officially launched his campaign for reelection, while the Republican presidential primary field remains small by historical standards.
So far, just five Republicans have announced their bids, setting up what could be another matchup between Biden and former President Donald Trump. By this time in the 2020 cycle, there were 22 Democrats vying for the chance to face off against then-president Trump.
And in 2008, when there was no incumbent, there were already eight Democrats and 10 Republicans in the race. This time around, Trump was the first to launch his bid, shortly after the November midterms. That early entry into the race and the strong position of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is widely expected to run, have given a number of potential contenders pause, said Republican strategists.
Already some potential contenders have bowed out, as former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a longtime Trump antagonist, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have announced that they won’t run for president.
Still, there is time. In 2012, Republicans didn’t start filing to challenge incumbent Democrat Barack Obama until mid-April. And there are signs that other candidates are eager to get into the 2024 primary, especially as Trump’s legal woes grow.
Republicans Who Have Announced a 2024 Presidential Bid
Donald TrumpFormer presidentAnnounced: Nov. 15, 2022Trump is seeking to become the first former president since Grover Cleveland to be elected to a second, non-consecutive term in office. He faces potential legal problems over his attempts to overturn his 2020 loss in Georgia and mishandling of government records that could complicate his campaign.
Nikki HaleyFormer U.N. AmbassadorAnnounced: Feb. 14, 2023The former governor of South Carolina, Haley served as United Nations ambassador under Trump. She made an indirect attack on the 76-year-old as well as President Joe Biden, who is 80, by calling for mental competency tests for politicians over the age of 75.
Asa HutchinsonFormer Arkansas governorAnnounced: April 2, 2023The former governor of Arkansas, Hutchinson has also served as under secretary of Homeland Security, led the Drug Enforcement Administration and was a member of the House of Representatives. He is running on a platform of “consistent conservativism.”
Vivek RamaswamyBiotech executiveAnnounced: Feb. 21, 2023A former biotechnology executive and hedge-fund partner, Ramaswamy is known for his opposition to ESG investing and other “woke” corporate actions, which he attacked in his book Woke, Inc. In his first run for president, he remains a longshot.
Larry ElderRadio hostAnnounced: April 20, 2023A conservative radio host who ran unsuccessfully for California governor during a recall election in 2021, Elder announced his campaign on the now-canceled Fox News show hosted by Tucker Carlson. He is also a longshot candidate.
Republicans Who Might Challenge Trump
Ron DeSantisFlorida governorRecently reelected to a second term, the Florida governor regularly makes national news with his legislative proposals, including one that stripped Walt Disney Co. of some authority over its Orlando theme park after the company criticized a law that limited instruction on sexual orientation in Florida schools.
Mike PenceFormer vice presidentEven if he weren’t considering a primary run against his former boss, the former vice president was already unlikely to rejoin Trump as his running mate for the 2024 campaign, after an angry mob threatening to hang Pence stormed the US Capitol on Jan. 6.
Tim ScottUS Senator Along with Haley, who first appointed him to the Senate, the South Carolina senator could make things interesting in an early primary state that helped propel Trump to the presidency. In mid-April he announced an exploratory committee for a presidential run.
Chris ChristieFormer New Jersey GovernorChristie would be the rare candidate who lost to Trump in 2016 coming back for another round. Despite the fact that he endorsed Trump and advised his campaign after bowing out, the former governor has signaled that he would go after Trump hard in a rematch.
Glenn YoungkinVirginia Governor The former Carlyle Group co-CEO had no prior political experience before he was elected governor of Virginia in 2021. He’s made several moves, from meeting with donors to agreeing to a CNN town hall, that indicate he’s seriously considering a run.
Chris SununuNew Hampshire Governor Hailing from a political dynasty that includes a governor and a US senator, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has said he’s “definitely thinking” about a 2024 run. Unlike other potential contenders, he’s taken a more combative approach to Trump.
Democrats Who Have Announced a 2024 Presidential Bid
Joe BidenPresidentAnnounced: April 25, 2023The current president, who previously served two terms as vice president and three decades in the Senate, is running for a second term, citing his record in office and issues like preserving abortion access and protecting Social Security. He has acknowledged concerns about his age — he would be 86 at the end of a second term — but argues he is fit to serve and needs a second term to achieve his goals.
Marianne WilliamsonSelf-help authorAnnounced: Feb. 25, 2023A best-selling self-help author who first ran for president in 2020, Williamson is the only candidate to say she’ll challenge Biden in the Democratic primary. While polls have shown that many Democrats would like to see a different nominee, there’s little appetite among the potential challengers for a primary fight.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Anti-vaccine advocateAnnounced: April 19, 2023The son of Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, Kennedy has become mostly known for promoting discredited theories about vaccines and promoting unproven treatments for the coronavirus.
(Updates throughout to reflect additional candidates)
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