Democratic favorite to replace Joe Biden and seven other candidates

Gavin Newsom has 1.5 million supporters on his digital network. Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Families Belong Together, Los Angeles

Gavin Newsom, the Democratic governor of California, has emerged as a top contender to replace Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee in 2024 if the president is ultimately not will seek re-election.

Mr. Biden said April 10. that he plans to run, although he has yet to make an official announcement. “I plan to run … but we are not yet ready to announce it,” he said.

Mr. Newsom has already set up a massive text messaging fundraising operation that could be a springboard for a future presidential race.

A 55-year-old man was re-elected by a landslide in the midterm elections in November.

Mr. Newsom's digital army of supporters, unprecedented for a state governor, already includes 1.5 million mobile phone numbers man.

One million of them have already donated, volunteered, or signed up for text events or petitions.

In addition, Mr. Newsom has emails from more than six million supporters he can ask for money.

Mr. Newsom's digital operation was built by the same sought-after Democratic activist who led a massive fundraiser for Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign.

He's already amassed so much money — more than $25m (£20.7m) in interim terms — that he's launched his campaign far beyond California.

Notably, he spent $100,000 (£83,000) on a television ad that aired on Florida's Fox News Channel in which he attacked Ron DeSantis, the state's governor who is emerging as the front-runner for the Republican presidential candidate in 2024.

Mr. Newsom has also openly criticized his party, and by extension its leadership, for not being «aggressive» enough.

This has sparked bewilderment behind the scenes at the White House and fears of a plot by Mr. -na Newsom will challenge Mr. Biden for the nomination.

The incumbent has not faced a credible major opponent since Republican Pat Buchanan ran for and lost to George W. Bush in 1992. jpg» /> Mr Newsom survived last year's recall vote, which many saw as a referendum on his Covid mask and vaccine mandates. Photo: Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

The last Democratic incumbent to face serious opposition was Jimmy Carter, who was unsuccessfully challenged by Senator Ted Kennedy in the 1980 primary.

On the night of the Nov. Biden on the phone that he won't do the same in 2024.

He was overheard talking on his cell phone to the president, «I' m all in. Put me in the carriage. We have your support.»

By «put me on the bus,» he apparently meant that he was ready to travel around Biden and campaign for his re-election.

Some Democratic Donors in California have indicated that if Mr. Biden does not run, then Mr. Newsom «definitely» will. But if Mr. Biden moves forward, Mr. Newsom is believed to wait until 2028.

Mr. Newsom has already taken steps that will be popular with left-wing Democratic voters across the country.

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These include banning sales of new gas-powered cars in California by 2035, imposing the world's toughest $32 billion (£26 billion) emission cap to fight climate change, and efforts to enshrine the right to abortion in their state constitution.

Combating climate change is one of Mr. Newsom's top priorities. Credit: AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, file

As he tries to make the leap from California governor to the White House, Mr. Newsom will emulate Ronald Reagan, who has ruled the state since 1967. and 1975

Some Democratic strategists believe that someone from outside Washington, not connected to the Biden administration, may have an advantage.

The nomination of Mr. Newsom, rather than Kamala Harris, will be seen as a complete break.

Mr Newsom has run the world's fifth-largest economy since 2019 and won a recall vote by a landslide last year.

It was pretty much a referendum about his reaction to pandemic, which included mandates for masks and vaccines.

If a race breaks out between Mr. Newsom and Donald Trump in 2024, it will have additional personal complications: Mr. Newsom's first wife, broadcaster Kimberly Guilfoyle, is now engaged to Donald Trump Jr.

Speaking at a Conservative conference last month, Ms Gilfoyle said her ex-husband would not be president.

She said: “California has promised to get rid of gasoline-powered cars. without explaining how they're going to fund and operate the alternatives.

"There's a bunch of winners out there guys…he's not going to make it to the White House.» #34;

Runners and racers who could replace Joe Biden Crosshead Kamala Harris

As a relatively young vice president, Ms. Harris should be a natural replacement for Joe Biden as head of the Democratic Party.

However, it has faced widespread criticism, including for its role in border security, and from opponents. accused her of speaking in «word salad».

Due to her low approval rating — currently 39 percent — it is likely that she will have to win in a crowded primary field to win the nomination President, or in 2024 or 2028.

Ms. Harris has already met with donors in California, including members of the influential Getty family.

Crosshead Pete Buttigieg

The reputation of «Mayor Pete» in the 2020 race has improved more than any member of the Biden administration.

As transport secretary, he was fortunate to preside over one of Biden's bipartisan legislative accomplishments, the $1.2 trillion. (£996 billion) infrastructure bill.

However, he has been criticized for flying taxpayer-funded private jets and campaigning for carbon reduction.

The Indiana native recently changed his place of residence to Michigan, the state that became the field of the election campaign.

Gretchen Whitmer

The governor of Michigan was close to being Joe Biden's 2020 running mate.

She went through an extensive vetting process, but he ultimately chose Kamala Harris.

Ms. Whitmer turned down the another position in Mr. Biden's administration.

She became an advocate for tight lockdown measures during the pandemic, and was involved in a series of high-profile scandals with Donald Trump.

In 2020, she became a victim kidnapping plot thwarted by far-right extremists.

In the midterm elections in November, she defeated Tudor Dixon, the Trump-backed Republican opponent, with surprising ease.

crosshead J. B. Pritzker

The 57-year-old governor of Illinois is a billionaire and the richest elected politician in the United States. His family owns the Hyatt chain of hotels.

He was easily re-elected in the midterm elections and gained a national voice by expressing his passionate anger at the way things were going.

His $3.6bn (£3bn) independent fortune would give him an advantage but could alienate the left in the party.

Mr Pritzker's economic track record in Illinois is low growth and the exodus of a few large companies due to high taxes are likely to come under scrutiny.

Bernie Sanders

It would be pointless for a party worried about an 80-year-old president to replace him with someone who is 81 years old .

However, Democrats' frustration with Mr. Biden has a lot to do with the party's left and has to do with politics, not his age.

Mr. Sanders, a longtime left-wing leader, said he would back the president, if he runs again.

However, he hasn't ruled himself out if Biden stays out.

Mr. Sanders finished second in the 2016 and 2020 Democratic nomination races . As the group shifts to the left, he can finally go even further.

Ro Khanna with a cross punch

The Next Bernie Sanders is a close friend of the original, but younger than him by more than three decades.

Mr. Hannah, a congressman from California, co-chaired Mr. Sanders' 2020 campaign and will look forward to his support .

He calls himself a «progressive capitalist» and has support in Silicon Valley, which he represents as part of his congressional district.

This includes close ties to social media companies and the ability to raise large sums to finance the campaign.

Mr. Khanna, the son of Indian immigrants, is also close to Nancy Pelosi, his compatriot from California.

Crosshead Marianne Williamson

Marianne Williamson, a well-known self-help writer, was the first Joe Biden to be announced. candidate for the Democratic nomination in 2024.

She ran in 2020 and qualified for the first two primary debates, but later dropped out of the race and endorsed Bernie Sanders.

Ms. Williamson, 70, he often appeared on television as a guest of Oprah Winfrey.

She condemned Mr. Biden's decision to change the order in which states would vote for the party's nominee in 2024.

Mr. Biden pushed for Iowa to be replaced as the first South voted Carolina, the state that ended up saving his failed 2020 campaign.

Ms. Williamson said undemocratic as they openly develop a primary schedule to make sure their chosen candidate wins it? This is a spit in the face of democracy"