Most Likely Republicans To Run in 2024
(TheRedWire.com) – Former President Donald Trump finally made a long-awaited announcement on Tuesday, November 15. He declared he’s running for the White House in 2024. The move kicked off the presidential campaign season just a week after the 2022 midterm elections that saw disappointing numbers for the GOP and a slew of his endorsed candidates lose in several battleground states. The results heralded criticism within the GOP towards the former president, and several candidates may take him on in the primary.
Despite getting a jump on the campaign ahead of other potential candidates, others are likely to announce in the coming weeks or months. Still, the former president has a sizable poll lead among possible political adversaries. Let’s dive in and look at the most likely Republicans to run against him in the 2024 presidential primary.
Trump Alone at the Top for Now
During Trump’s announcement, he told Americans that “America’s comeback starts right now. Your country is being destroyed.” While he’s polling strongly with Republicans, the past three elections show that he also galvanized strong voter turnout against him among Democrats and independent voters. In 2018, House Republicans lost the majority. In 2020, Trump lost the White House, and the Senate flipped to Democrats. In 2022, the red wave many polls and political analysts expected, didn’t materialize. Now, numerous big donors say they will back an alternative to the former Commander-in-Chief, and GOP leaders say they will move on to another pasture.
Still, the grassroots appear to be firmly behind the current GOP frontrunner and are reportedly donating to his campaign in large numbers. A POLITICO/Morning Consult poll released on Wednesday, November 16, showed Trump leading the pack, with the closest potential rival running 14 points behind him:
- Former President Donald Trump – 47%
- Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) – 33%
- Former Vice President Mike Pence (R) – 5%
- Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) – 2%
- Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) – 1%
Let’s take a glance at the likeliest probable rivals to Trump.
Governor Ron DeSantis
On election day 2022, the popular Florida governor won an overwhelming majority of votes over Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist. He won 59.4% to 40.0%. On Tuesday, November 15, DeSantis said the legislature expanded its GOP-led super majority, school boards flipped, and the Sunshine State increased its representation in the US House of Representatives by four.
DeSantis said the key to victory was leadership and results. He swung heavy Democratic counties, increased the vote among Hispanics and women, and said his record was a blueprint for success in 2024.
Regarding any potential 2024 confrontation with Trump, the governor said people “need to chill out” after coming off the 2022 midterm elections.
Former Vice President Mike Pence
During the midterms, Pence traveled the country, trying to help Republican candidates win their elections. Some saw it as a probable nod he was building relationships ahead of a possible 2024 run for the presidency. On Tuesday, November 15, the former VP told ABC News that Trump’s actions and words on January 6 were “reckless.” Pence said Trump endangered himself, his family, and everyone on Capitol Hill. In a new memoir, “So Help Me God,” he could make numerous headlines.
So, will other candidates make a splash?
While several GOP leaders polled have kept the door open to running against Trump, no one has announced their intentions. Still, according to polls, DeSantis and Pence remain the two most prominent players likely to challenge him.
Copyright 2022, TheRedWire.com
