Could Democrats replace Biden? Here are 7 potential contenders if POTUS drops his 2024 reelection bid

Exploring alternatives: Candidates who can replace Joe Biden if he withdraws from 2024 presidential race

Following President Joe Biden's announcement of his re-election bid last April, Democratic leaders swiftly rallied around his candidacy, which is typical for an incumbent. Yet, Biden's journey up until now has been anything but ordinary. The Delaware Democrat brings with him over five decades of experience in Washington as a Delaware senator, former vice president, and now President. Despite being 82 years old at a potential second inauguration in January 2025 and 86 at the end of a second term, Biden has staunchly defended his reelection bid, touting accomplishments such as the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the Inflation Reduction Act. However, concerns about his age persist among voters, particularly following scrutiny over his handling of classified documents. While speculation swirls about his future in the race, Biden's strong performance in the South Carolina Democratic primary and his commitment to a likely rematch with former president Donald Trump make his departure unlikely. Nonetheless, the question of who might succeed him in such a scenario looms. Let's take a look at potential Democrats who could replace Biden if he decided not to run in the 2024 presidential elections.

1. Vice President Kamala Harris

According to Business Insider, Vice President Kamala Harris stands as a natural successor to Biden in many regards. She has closely collaborated with Biden on various issues, from voting rights to foreign policy. Before her vice presidency, Harris made history as the first Black, Indian-American, and female vice president, boasting a career trajectory as a San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general, and California senator. She has notably led the administration's response to GOP-backed abortion restrictions after the 2022 Supreme Court ruling on Roe v Wade. Despite her previous presidential bid in 2020, which initially showed promise but waned over time, Harris's journey hasn't been without challenges. While praised by Biden, her office has struggled with turnover and reports of dysfunction early in her term, alongside less-than-ideal approval ratings, raising concerns among Democrats about her electability, particularly as the party eyes the future and the potential for her to be a frontrunner in 2028.

2. California Governor Gavin Newsom

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a seasoned leader who has served as both former San Francisco mayor and former California lieutenant governor, commands the helm of the nation's largest state. Over recent years, he has emerged as one of Biden's most prominent Democratic allies, vigorously advocating for California's progressive policies while confronting national Republican narratives head-on. Despite California often being used as a target for comparison by Republicans, Newsom staunchly champions his state's values and Democratic achievements. While adopting more moderate positions on issues like labor and homelessness, Newsom's trajectory intersects with that of Vice President Kamala Harris, another Bay Area native. Nevertheless, Newsom has consistently praised Harris' partnership with Biden.

3. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has a track record of winning tough political fights. Democrats have thrived under her leadership in the Wolverine State, securing victories in statewide offices and flipping the state legislature in the 2022 midterms. With her broad appeal demonstrated by a significant reelection win in 2022 against Republican Tudor Dixon, Whitmer is expected to play a crucial role in Michigan's closely watched presidential race. Advocating for stronger stances on abortion rights, she amplifies key issues for voters, especially women, following the Roe v Wade overturn. In a potential presidential field without Biden, Whitmer's Midwestern background, ties to organized labor, and moderate appeal position her as a strong contender, albeit against the backdrop of a likely Trump candidacy.

4. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar, who has been a Minnesota Senator since 2007, ventured into the 2020 presidential race with vigor. Surprisingly, she made a notable splash in the New Hampshire primary, surpassing expectations by outshining even Biden and Warren at the time. However, despite this early success, her campaign faltered to gain the necessary traction in the pivotal South Carolina primary, leading to her withdrawal from the race. Nonetheless, Klobuchar remains a figure of interest in any future electoral landscape, having bolstered her national profile during the primaries and boasting a track record of bipartisan achievements while representing Minnesota in the Senate.

5. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker

Cory Booker threw his hat into the 2020 presidential ring, wrapping up his campaign in January of that year. Despite this setback, Booker has long been a prominent figure on the national stage, with many eyeing him as a potential contender for the 2028 race. With a strong presence in South Carolina, having actively campaigned across the state in both 2019 and 2020, Booker could swiftly reignite his political ambitions in the future. In a hypothetical situation where Democrats seek an alternative to Biden, Booker would undoubtedly emerge as a viable figure in the discussion.

6. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper

Roy Cooper is not a household name beyond the borders of his state among Democratic circles - at least not yet. However, from his days as a state legislator to serving as North Carolina's attorney general before assuming his current role as a two-term governor, Cooper has adeptly traversed political divides that would torment even the most seasoned politicians. In a state historically leaning towards the GOP, Cooper has been successful as a moderate, thus making him a standout figure in a challenging political landscape for Democrats. With the party eyeing the South for potential presidential contenders, Cooper emerges as a compelling prospect, marking a potential shift reminiscent of the last Southern Democratic governor turned president, Bill Clinton, back in 1992. Looking ahead, particularly towards the 2028 horizon, Cooper is primed to capture the attention and consideration of many within the Democratic ranks.

7. Maryland Governor Wes Moore

Wes Moore is an Army veteran and Rhodes Scholar. Elected in 2022, Moore has swiftly delved into addressing pressing issues such as child poverty and housing affordability, challenges that resonate deeply at both state and national levels. A central theme of Moore's leadership is his commitment to redefine patriotism in politics, rejecting attempts to monopolize it by any single party or movement. In an interview with Business Insider in October 2022, Moore said, "I refuse to let anybody try to wrestle that away, or claim that they have a higher stake or some higher claim to it than I or my family or people who I served with or my community members." Positioned as a potential contender for the 2028 presidential race, Moore has cultivated strong alliances with Biden and Harris. While relatively new to the realm of elective politics, Moore's influence and profile within the Democratic Party continue to ascend.