In 2020, Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th President of the United States, giving the Democratic Party back control over the White House. Since being elected, Biden's presidency has been defined by historic inflation rates, a border crisis, and weakened foreign policy. Despite the struggles, the Democrats performed well in the 2022 midterms, keeping the Republican House majority to a minimum and holding the senate by appealing to socially liberal voters and labeling several Republican challengers as election deniers.
This year, the primaries will take place for the Republican Party to see which candidate will become the nomination for the 2024 Presidential Election. Several candidates have already announced their candidacy, most famously former president Donald Trump, who looks to become the first president to serve a nonconsecutive term since Grover Cleveland. Former Trump advisor John Bolton, former UN Ambassador and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, and former Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton have also announced their bids for the G.O.P nomination, but plenty of candidates have not announced their intentions to run for the presidency or remain undecided.
There is still plenty of time for many Republicans to announce their intentions of a presidential run. Some candidates have made their policies well-known nationally and have very high national profiles, while others prefer to stay out of the spotlight and stick to the politics of their state. The Republican Party has a deep roster of candidates who could make a serious run for the Oval Office, and the relationships between several of them could make for must-watch TV when the debates take place.
10. Larry Hogan
Larry Hogan served as the governor of the deep blue state of Maryland before leaving office in 2023 due to term limits. While serving as governor, Hogan became one the nation's most popular governors, with his approval rating usually sitting in the high 60s-low 70s.
Although Hogan's moderate stances would appeal to many swing voters, his national profile is not that of others. Hogan also risks alienating many conservatives, as he has signed plenty of anti-gun legislation during his governorship.
9. Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz is a senator from Texas and a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump. Cruz has a strong national profile, is on good terms with most Republicans, and has plenty of respect for the Constitution, which garnered plenty of support in the 2016 Republican primaries.
However, while Cruz is well-known nationally, it backfires. Cruz is not popular with many Americans inside or outside of Texas, and it is unlikely that he would be able to connect with swing voters the way others could.
8. Chris Sununu
Chris Sununu is the current Governor of New Hampshire, and his fiscally conservative but socially moderate views have made him one of the nation's most popular governors. Sununu’s support for gun rights and the free market will go over well with conservatives, and his apparent friendliness with the LGBT community will appeal to independents and possibly even liberals.
If Sununu were the nominee, he could be viewed as an olive branch to Trump supporters, as he did endorse the former president twice and does not break from many conservative values. Although Sununu could be helpful in the swing state of New Hampshire, and his almost-Libertarian stances would appeal to a wide group of people, he does not enjoy the national stardom others do.
7. Mike Pompeo
Mike Pompeo formerly served as the head of the CIA and as Secretary of State under former President Donald Trump. Pompeo is experienced in international and domestic politics, which would appeal to many voters who prioritize experience in a presidential candidate.
While Pompeo is experienced, some voters might be turned off by his ties to former President Donald Trump. Pompeo’s ties to the CIA could also turn off swing voters who do not trust federal agencies.
6. Tim Scott
Tim Scott serves as a senator from South Carolina, and his conservative views have garnered respect from many Republicans. Scott is popular not just with the Republican party, but he has previously shown a willingness to work across party lines with Democrats on police reform.
While Scott is a worthy candidate for the nomination and could help the Republicans attract minority voters, he is not as nationally prolific as others. Scott's hardline conservative values may also turn away many swing voters if he were the nominee, especially in swing states that tend to be more liberal on social issues.
5. Nikki Haley
Nikki Haley previously served as an ambassador to the U.N. with the Trump Administration, the Governor of South Carolina and is now officially running for the Republican nomination. Haley is respected by all wings of the Republican party and is more than qualified to handle domestic and foreign policy issues.
However, like fellow South Carolinian Tim Scott, Haley is a worthy candidate for the Republican nomination but does not have the national popularity other candidates have. There is also the issue that if Haley does run for the oval office, Trump and many of his much larger following could label her as a traitor during the primaries.
4. Mike Pence
Mike Pence previously served as Governor of Indiana and most recently as Vice President under the Trump administration. Pence is a staunch conservative, performed well in debates against Tim Kaine and Kamala Harris, has experience in foreign policy, and stands firm in his support of hardline conservative principles.
However, while Pence is a formidable and well-spoken candidate, his views on social issues could be considered extreme for moderates and swing voters, which was a defining issue in the 2022 midterm elections. There is also the problem of pro-Trump Republicans, who may view him as a traitor for refusing to overturn the 2020 election results.
3. Glenn Youngkin
Glenn Youngkin currently serves as Governor of Virginia, becoming the first Republican to win a statewide election in the Old Dominion since 2009. Youngkin has become favorable amongst many Republicans for his stances on economic and social issues while also proving able to work with Democrats to get things done.
The Republicans would be wise to nominate Youngkin in 2024, as he could appeal to many sunbelt and rustbelt voters and potentially help win back the once-Republican state of Virginia. Although Youngkin brings plenty to the table, won a statewide election in a blue state, and is not afraid to stand up to China, other candidates may be more nationally prolific.
2. Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the longtime owner of the Trump Organization and served as the 45th President of the United States before losing reelection to President Joe Biden in 2020. Despite his loss, Trump is still very popular with his base, and many Americans credited him for his economic policies, which resulted in historically low inflation and unemployment.
While Trump is certainly a strong candidate, his behavior after losing the 2020 election has turned off many key swing voters in crucial states like Arizona and Georgia. There is also the problem of scandals following Trump, from impeachment to FBI raids, which has caused many Republicans to opt for another candidate who is an equally strong leader, but without the drama and scandals.
1. Ron DeSantis
Ron DeSantis is the current Governor of Florida and recently won reelection in a landslide, so much so that many political pundits are now declaring Florida a red state. DeSantis is not only popular in his home state of Florida, but his freedom-based policies have made him popular nationally with moderates and independents.
There is not much stopping DeSantis if he decides to run, but Donald Trump has rattled even the most level-headed politicians and will likely be able to do so again. However, DeSantis has proven to be able to take the heat and deflect it back, which may make him the most formidable politician Trump has gone up against thus far.