President Joe Biden has announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, leaving the Democratic Party in a precarious and chaotic position. Just weeks before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where Biden was set to be formally nominated, the party now faces the daunting task of selecting a new nominee. With Biden’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, the path forward remains uncertain as the party navigates this unprecedented situation.
Biden’s decision to bow out comes amid growing concerns about his age and ability to effectively challenge former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election. His halting debate performance against Trump in June sparked weeks of scrutiny and pressure, ultimately leading to his withdrawal. Despite securing 3,896 pledged delegates of the nearly 4,000 available, Biden released all his delegates, allowing them to support any candidate they choose.
“The nominating process, during the primary and at a convention, is very, very complicated,” said Suzanne Chod, a professor of political science at Illinois’s North Central College. “The idea there’s a grand sweeping way to do this quickly, to replace Biden quickly and quietly — those are not options.”
Vice President Kamala Harris has received Biden’s backing to take his place as the Democratic presidential nominee. Harris, the first female vice president and the first Black and South Asian woman to hold the office, expressed her gratitude for Biden’s endorsement and vowed to earn the nomination. “I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” Harris said in a statement. “We have 107 days until Election Day. Together, we will fight. And together, we will win.”
While Harris is the immediate frontrunner, her path to the nomination is not without challenges. Despite her historical achievements and experience, Harris faces skepticism within the party. Hans Noel, associate professor of government at Georgetown University, noted, “There’s a lot of people who like Harris. There’s also a lot of people who are disappointed and would rather have somebody other than someone who was one of the options in 2020 and dropped out.”
With Biden’s departure, the Democratic Party may face an open convention, a scenario not seen since 1968. This process would involve delegates selecting the nominee at the convention itself, requiring a simple majority to secure the nomination. If no candidate achieves a majority in the first round of voting, a second round would introduce 700 “superdelegates” who could influence the outcome.
Several Democratic governors and other prominent figures have been mentioned as potential candidates, including:
Gretchen Whitmer (Michigan): A popular governor from a crucial swing state.
Gavin Newsom (California): Known for his national profile and willingness to challenge Republicans.
Josh Shapiro (Pennsylvania): A rising star who won office in a key swing state.
Pete Buttigieg (Transportation Secretary): A gifted messenger with national appeal.
Andy Beshear (Kentucky): A young governor with bipartisan appeal.
J.B. Pritzker (Illinois): A wealthy governor with the potential to fund a national campaign.
Wes Moore (Maryland) and Cory Booker (New Jersey): Other notable figures who could emerge as candidates.
The Path Forward: Challenges and Opportunities
The Democratic Party now faces the challenge of uniting behind a new candidate while ensuring the process is transparent and democratic. The stakes are high, with the risk of internal discord playing into Republican narratives of a “rigged” system.
“The more stable and cohesive the nominating process is, the better chance that candidate has of winning an election,” said Professor Chod.