Update March 29, 2024
Who are the candidates?
The US presidential race was characterized by a wide range of candidates with varied backgrounds and not necessarily from political backgrounds who found themselves competing in the shadow of the same two men who won the nomination in 2020: President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
The plurality of would-be leaders, however, was an important reflection of the complexity and diversity of the American political landscape.
While some candidates are already well known in the political world, others have emerged as outsiders, advancing new ideas and perspectives. But competing against Trump's fierce and loyal supporters has not been easy, and most of the Republican challengers have been forced to end their campaigns before voting had even begun.
The last remaining candidates are competing on several fronts, juggling public speeches, meetings with voters and media campaigns, and the ambitious attempt to win popular support and secure their party's nomination.
Republicans
Donald
Trump
Trump
dropped out
Doug
Burgum
Burgum
Chris
Christie
Christie
Ron
DeSantis
DeSantis
Larry
Elder
Elder
Nikki
Haley
Haley
Will
Hurd
Hurd
Asa
Hutchinson
Hutchinson
Perry
Johnson
Johnson
Mike
Pence
Pence
Vivek
Ramaswamy
Ramaswamy
Tim
Scott
Scott
Francis
Suarez
Suarez
Democrats
Joe
Biden
Biden
Jason
Palmer
Palmer
Marianne
Williamson
Williamson
Independents
Robert
Kennedy
Kennedy
Cornel
West
West
Jill
Stein
Stein
Few Republicans, if any, have had as significant an impact on abortion rights as Trump: he selected three out of the six Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade and the judge who annulled the authorization of the abortion pill mifepristone. He has also privately endorsed a 16-week prohibition.
His actions as president may have caused irreversible damage to the global climate. While in the White House, he rolled back more than 100 environmental regulations, mostly aimed at reducing planet-warming emissions and protecting clean air and water. He has mocked climate science and championed the production of the fossil fuels chiefly responsible for warming the planet.
Trump said the war is not a vital U.S. interest. While he declared that the war “must end”, he also said that “this fight is far more important for Europe than it is for the U.S.”. In 2019 he was impeached for withholding aid to Ukraine to pressure Volodymyr Zelensky to help him electorally. He also suggested that he could have prevented the war by ceding Ukrainian land to Russia.
Trump’s policies strengthened hard-line immigration stances in the G.O.P. mainstream. If re-elected, he intends to gather undocumented immigrants and confine them in camps until deportation; implement a method of expulsion that bypasses due process hearings; and authorize local police officers and National Guard troops from Republican-led states to carry-out immigration raids.
While president, he blended traditional Republican economic principles with populism. He enacted $1.5 trillion in tax cuts in 2017, permanently decreasing corporate taxes from 35 percent to 21 percent and temporarily lowering taxes for individuals, including the wealthiest Americans. The individual tax reductions are set to expire after 2025 unless Congress prolongs them.
While president, he rolled back transgender rights: he barred transgender service members from the military, eliminated protections against discrimination by doctors and insurers, and rescinded rules that allowed transgender students to use bathrooms matching their gender identity. If re-elected again, he has vowed to ban medically endorsed transition care for minors nationwide and order the Justice Department to investigate hospitals that provide transition surgeries, among other things.
Biden supports the landmark Roe v. Wade decision and women's reproductive rights. He opposes efforts to restrict abortion access and advocates for policies that protect women's health and autonomy. While personally against abortion, Biden respects individual beliefs and emphasizes the importance of upholding constitutional rights and ensuring access to safe and legal abortion services.
Biden views climate change as an urgent threat requiring immediate action. He rejoined the Paris Agreement, set ambitious emissions reduction targets, and prioritized renewable energy investments and green infrastructure. He aims to transition to a clean energy economy while creating jobs and addressing environmental justice concerns.
Biden stands firmly against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, labeling it a violation of international law and Ukraine's sovereignty. He has pledged unwavering support for Ukraine's defense, providing military aid and diplomatic assistance. He advocates for sanctions against Russia to deter further aggression and has rallied international support for Ukraine's cause. He also repeatedly emphasized the importance of upholding democratic principles and ensuring Ukraine's territorial integrity.
Biden's immigration policy focuses on a comprehensive approach to reform, emphasizing pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants already in the U.S. He seeks to address root causes of migration from Central America, aiming for humane border management and reversing Trump-era policies like family separations. He also advocates for streamlining the immigration system, enhancing border security through technology and personnel, while promoting fair and just enforcement practices.
Biden's economic policy prioritizes inclusive growth, focusing on infrastructure investments, job creation, and support for workers. He advocates for raising the minimum wage, expanding access to healthcare, and progressive tax reforms to address income inequality. Biden's agenda emphasizes rebuilding the middle class, investing in clean energy, and promoting manufacturing and innovation to bolster the economy.
He has been vocal in his support for transgender rights and has issued executive orders reversing Trump-era policies that marginalized transgender individuals, such as banning them from serving openly in the military. He advocates for access to healthcare, education, and employment for transgenders without discrimination. He has often emphasized inclusivity and dignity for all Americans, regardless of gender identity.
