US President Joe Biden has faced calls to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race but remains adamant that he is fit to run for another four years in office despite the debate debacle against Republican rival candidate Donald Trump.
Still, if Biden decides to drop out of the race and end his campaign voluntarily or forcibly for his Democratic Party, a few scenarios could play out, according to CNN.
Biden has the support of almost all Democratic delegates after the primaries. The delegates will vote at the Democratic National Convention in August. If he steps down, they will vote for another candidate and whoever gets the most votes will be the new Democratic candidate for the US elections.
Additionally, if Biden does not voluntarily step back and the party wishes for him to drop out of the race, then they have the authority to make the convention open to all, he reported. BBC.
However, despite this scenario, it is important to know the possible candidates if the current Democratic candidate takes a step back.
At the top of the list is US Vice President Kamala Harris, and it seems obvious that the VP should replace Biden if he opts out of the race, as she is his running mate in the upcoming election campaign and has served with him in office since 2021; however, other candidates are easily equally viable to lead a federal government.
Additionally, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is a Democrat who many believe will be a strong candidate to replace Biden. Whitmer has served as Michigan's governor for two terms and is also expected to run for president in 2028.
Despite her popularity, Whitmer has been a staunch supporter of Biden and has even campaigned for him. In 2022, the governor led a campaign that allowed Michigan Democrats to control the state legislature and implemented policies in the state that included abortion access and gun safety measures.
Another possible candidate to replace Biden is Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who ran for president in 2020.
The Secretary has effectively addressed public transportation crises during his tenure, including the East Palestine train incident in Ohio, the Baltimore bridge collapse, and the Southwest Airlines scheduling crisis in 2022.
Additionally, Buttigieg has expressed his desire to run for office again.
Additionally, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is a Democrat who can replace Biden if the need arises.
Shapiro has been on the front burner since winning a key swing state in 2022 that Donald Trump won by a razor-thin margin in 2016.
The governor has again received attention after a collapsed bridge on a Philadelphia highway was quickly rebuilt in 2023 under his supervision and orders.
In addition, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has supported the Biden administration for years, making him a worthy candidate for the US presidency.
Pritzker also verbally attacked Trump before and after the debate, calling the former US president a “liar,” earning him support from the Democratic Party and Biden supporters.
Pritzker is also a stickler for progressive policies, as is Whitmer, such as abortion rights and gun control and safety.
