A New Era: 2024 Democratic Presidential Primaries
Background: With President Young now seeking a second term in the White House, the Democrats are now scrambling to nominate someone who could unify a fractured party against the growing Republican establishment. With geopolitics, discussions around antisemitism, the ousting of House Speaker Joseph Crowley, and the rising fringe movement of far-left and socialist activism in the party, the DNC is desperate to nominate a candidate who can retain political power without alienating either side of the party. A major threat has already been presented with the rising prominence of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former Assistant Attorney General under President Becerra, who has begun building a growing anti-establishment coalition that could undermine the Democratic establishment despite his fringe rhetoric and conspiracy theories. This puts him squarely against a slew of mainstream candidates including former Homeland Security secretary and Maryland governor Martin O'Malley, Senators Michael Bennett and Cory Booker, former House Representative Cheri Bustos, and Governors Gina Raimondo, Jay Inslee, and John Bel Edwards.
The debates have largely circulated around President Young's response to foreign crises, immigration policy, anti-Israel and anti-American protests, healthcare, and divisions within the party.
The majority of candidates have largely agreed towards the need to end the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza through varying means of military support, but the candidates differed on following responses. O'Malley, Bennett, Edwards, Bustos, and Raimondo have remained adamant in avoiding any further interference in Israeli politics that may exacerbate current tensions, while Booker and Inslee have pushed for a more critical analysis of current U.S. policies in the Middle East. RFK Jr. would argue for a reduction in funds and military presence in hostile nations to prioritize intelligence operations.
While the vast majority of candidates pledged support for Ukraine, RFK drew controversy in his arguments that U.S. meddling in European politics spurred Russia's invasion, although he did support the need to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes committed under Putin.
Throughout the campaign, Inslee and Booker have fought to galvanize progressive voters by courting to hardline leftists in various state legislatures. Edwards and RFK Jr. have in turn focused on energizing populist and independent blocks by promoting themselves as political outsiders willing to stand as critics and mediators between both sides of the political aisles. The remaining candidates have played a varying balance of moderate and liberal policies to court establishment Democrats.
As the top candidates encroach on New Hampshire to begin the primary season, Cory Booker, RFK, and O'Malley are stuck in a perpetual three-man race as the remaining candidates look for potential avenues to cement themselves as the top Democrat in the race.
Candidates:
Martin O'Malley: With nearly thirty years in the political sphere, O'Malley has climbed up the ladder to go from a popular mayor to a top cabinet official in the White House. Now, he makes an official White House bid under the platform of an experienced leader with a proven record of strong leadership and liberal policies. O'Malley's campaign has promised to allow fracking under strict regulation, abolition of the death penalty, protecting abortion rights, and strict regulation of border policies.
As the former Secretary of Homeland Security, O'Malley has touted his work in combatting human trafficking across the southern border, mitigating damages caused by hurricanes through swift FEMA responses, and boldening the country's responses to domestic terror and mass shooters. A major weakness, however, comes from accusations that his lax stance on illegal immigration caused many states along the southern border to suffer worse infection rates during covid with many potentially-infected migrants being allowed through the border without check. O'Malley has also proposed providing temporary tactical support in Israel to bring a swift end to the Gaza conflict in order to allow swift aid into Gaza; furthermore, he also also supported the goal of an eventual two-state deal between Israel and Palestine.
Endorsements: Frmr Secretary Ed Rendell (PA), Frmr Secretary Tom Perez (MD) Frmr Senator Bill Nelson (FL), Frmr Secretary Michelle Nunn (GA), Frmr Secretary Donna Edwards (MD), Senator Ben Cardin (MD), Senator Chris van Hollen (MD), Senator Tom Carper (DE), Senator Chris Coons (DE), Senator Jon Ossoff (GA), Senator Kasim Reed (GA), Representative Ritchie Torres (NY), Representative Jamie Raskin (MD), Frmr House Speaker Tim Ryan (OH), Governor Wes Moore (MD), Governor John Carney (DE), Governor Josh Green (HI), Governor Tom Suozzi (NY), Frmr Governor Steve Bullock (MT), Frmr Governor John Bohlinger (MT), Frmr Governor Deval Patrick (MA).
Michael Bennet: A veteran of the Democratic Party, Bennet has built a reputation as an effective mediator for bipartisan policies, an advocate for education reform, and using pragmatic leadership to promote progressive values. On the campaign trail, Bennet has championed international partnership to end the wars in Ukraine and Israel, reducing the national debt, giving tax credits for use of renewable energy, and undoing Chinese influence in America's infrastructure and social media.
While seen as a front-runner for his mainstream appeal, Bennet suffers among progressives for his pro-Israel stance, support for fracking, and history of working with Republicans. Bennet has benefitted mostly from his appeal among rural and suburban voters, but suffers in larger urban and metropolitan communities.
Endorsements: Frmr Secretary Dianne DeGette (CO), Frmr Secretary Tom Udall (NM), Frmr Ambassador Mark Dayton (MN), Senator Ed Perlmutter (CO), Senator Mark Kelly (AZ), Senator Kirsten Sinema (AZ), Senator Jackie Rosen (NV), Senator Kate Marshall (NV), Senator Martin Heinrich (NM), Representative Joe Neguse (CO), Representative Jason Crow (CO), Representative Yadira Caraveo (CO), Frmr House Speaker Joseph Crowley (NY), Governor Jenna Griswold (CO), Governor Josh Shapiro (PA), Governor Katie Hobbs (AZ), Governor Shelley Berkley (NV), Howard Schultz (WA), Jamie Dimon (IL), Stephen Colbert (NJ), Bill Gates (WA).
Cory Booker: A staple figure among Democratic leadership, Booker has launched a bid to oust President Young who he has accused of being beholden to special interests and corporations. Running on a progressive platform, Booker has built a strong coalition of Black voters, suburban women, and urban liberals who have vouched for his liberal credentials. Booker's campaign has centered on deregulating the tech industry, implementing carbon taxes on corporations, restricting and tracking lobbyist activities in the federal government, repealing SCOPPA and passing universal protections for abortion access, providing amnesty for illegal immigrants not convicted on felony charges, and investigating price gouging accusations against the pharmaceutical industry,
When asked on his foreign policy ambitions, Booker has called for an eventual two-state negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians once all hostages have been returned to their countries of origin. Booker has been vocally critical of US intervention in the Middle East, instead proposing a minimum-activity approach while referring to UN policy to direct its visions towards the Middle East. This proposal has garnered some backlash over accusations that Booker is being too soft on the Afghani and Iranian oppression of women's and LGBT rights.
Endorsements: Frmr Vice President Russ Feingold (WI), Frmr National Security Advisor Susan Rice (DC), Senator Stephen Sweeney (NJ), Senator Barack Obama (IL), Senator Raja Krishnamorthi (IL), House Speaker Pete Aguilar (CA), House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY), Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ), Representative Andy Kim (NJ), Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL), Representative Val Demmings (FL), Representative Barbara Lee (CA), Representative Katie Porter (CA), Representative Eric Swalwell (CA), Representative Seth Moulton (MA), Representative Collin Allred (TX), Representative Marc Veasey (TX), Representative Veronica Escobar (TX), Representative Steven Horsford (NV), Representative Jim Clyburn (SC), Representative Don Davis (NC), Representative Cedric Richmond (LA), Representative Bennie Johnson (MS), Governor Phil Murphy (NJ), Governor Stephen Lynch (MA), Governor Janet Mills (ME), Frmr Governor Deval Patrick (MA), Mayor Eric Adams (NY), Mayor Albio Sires (NJ), Mayor Ras Baraka (NJ), Bon Jovi (NJ).
Cheri Bustos: As a rising star of Democratic leadership, Bustos' bid for president came as a shock to some as she forfeited what some argued to be a potential path to the Speakership for a chance in the White House. The former representative has painted herself as a consensus builder who built her tenure around protecting American jobs, protecting women's rights, and promoting strong national security without excessive funding increases to the defense budget. Bustos' campaign has centered around expanding healthcare coverage with expansion into birth control provisions, reducing trade barriers to promote agricultural growth, and investigating the sports industry for potential financial fraud.
On the campaign trail, Bustos has pledged to end the wars in Israel and Ukraine, and work to hold Hamas and Russian leaders accountable for war crimes. While progressives have pressured Bustos to take a more vocal stance in support of Palestine, she has argued that the party should focus first on ending the war before making any further decisions on geopolitics. She has, however, supported the end goal of a two-state solution.
Endorsements: Frmr Secretary Julian Castro (TX), Frmr Secretary Jay Nixon (MO), Frmr SBA Director Penny Pritzker (IL), Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI),Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN), Senator Betty McCollum (MN), Senator Gary Peters (MI), Senator Mazie Hirono (HI), Senator Brian Schatz (HI), Frmr Senate Leader Dick Durbin (IL), Representative Mikie Sherill (NJ), Representative Abigail Spanberger (VA), Representative Robin Kelly (IL), Representative Mike Quigley (IL), Representative Sean Casten (IL), Representative Jan Shakowsky (IL), Representative Lauren Underwood (IL), Frmr Representative David Cicilline (RI), Frmr Representative Joe Cunningham (SC), Frmr House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA), Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM), Governor JB Pritzker (IL), Governor Dean Phillips (MN), Governor Tina Kotek (OR), Frmr Governor Jennifer Granholm (MI), Frmr Governor RT Rybak (MN), Mayor Joyce Craig (NH), Mayor Miro Weinberger (VT), Mayor Paul Vallas (IL).
Gina Raimondo: Ever since the covid pandemic, Governor Raimondo has slowly built up a political profile as a strong female leader in the party, gaining prominence for her leadership during the covid pandemic. Raimondo's campaign has centered around expanding Medicare coverage, repealing the McCain school voucher program, modernizing American infrastructure for education and energy, and expanding the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Using her history as a business executive, Raimondo has touted herself as a supporter of business growth and promoting health benefits. While Raimondo benefits from a well-funded campaign, she notably suffers from a lack of foreign policy experience and low name recognition among general voters. While Raimondo has supported both Israel's existence and a two-state solution, she has been critical of Netanyahu's reckless actions and disregard for the safety of innocents in Gaza.
Endorsements: Frmr Secretary Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Frmr Ambassador Patrick Kennedy (RI), Senator Jack Reed (RI), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), Senator Antonio Delgado (NY), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Senator Collin Van Ostern (NH), Senator Sherrod Brown (OH), Senator Bob Casey Jr. (PA), Senator Chris Murphy (CT), Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT), Senator Ed Markey (MA), Frmr Senator Maggie Hassan (NH), Frmr Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI), Frmr Senator Chris Dodd (CT), Governor Roy Cooper (NC), Governor William Tong (CT), Frmr Mayor Rahm Emmanuel (IL), Shawn Fain (IN), Oprah Winfrey (CA), Randi Weingarten (NY), Mark Cuban (TX).
Jay Inslee: A veteran of Washington politics, Governor Inslee has entered the race for president as a liberal leader with a strong background environmental policies, business growth, and drug reforms. Inslee has positioned himself as the most left-wing candidate in the race, calling for Medicare expansion, a federal ban on assault weapons, combatting climate change through radical environmental policies, universal pre-k, increased regulations on farming and hunting wild animals, decriminalizing marijuana, and increased funding for STEM and clean-energy jobs.
While Inslee has mostly focused on domestic issues, he has made light stakes in foreign policy. Inslee has proposed a deal with Poland to have them act as a venue state to funnel humanitarian aid to Ukraine, called for the resignation of Netanyahu in turn for further military aid to defeat Hamas, and furthering efforts to further develop relations with Islamic states rather than continual antagonization. Inslee's campaign has suffered from a lack of a strong coalition, as well as criticisms towards his failure to act on the CHOP zone in 2020 that left two people dead. His financial backing from MID executives in Boeing and Raytheon, as well as Amazon, have also been subject to criticism.
Endorsements: Frmr Secretary Tom Steyer (CA), Frmr Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Warren (MA), Frmr Secretary Maria Cantwell (WA), Senator Howard Dean (VT), Senator Molly Gray (VT), Senator Jeff Merkley (OR), Senator Ron Wyden (OR), Senator Adam Schiff (CA), Senator Loretta Sanchez (CA), Senator Darren Soto (FL), Representative Morgan McGarvey (KY), Representative Jim McGovern (MA), Representative Dan Kildee (MI), Representative Elissa Slotkin (MI), Representative Rashida Tlaib (MI), Representative Ilhan Omar (MN), Representative Gwen Moore (WI), Frmr House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt (MO). Frmr Representative Luis Gutiérrez (IL), Governor Gavin Newsom (CA), Governor Josh Kaul (WI), Governor Gretchen Whitmer (MI), Frmr Governor Gary Locke (WA), Mayor Karen Bass (CA), Mayor Bruce Harrell (WA), Mark Zuckerberg (CA), JJeff Bezos (WA), Oprah Winfrey (CA).
John Bel Edwards: Running on a more conservative platform than his progressive counterparts, Edwards has tried to build himself up as the universal leader with a populist platform that every American can find agreement in. Edwards has criticized President Young's economic policies and labor stances as out-of-touch and unaligned with American families. The former governor's campaign has centered on expansion of Medicaid coverage, protection of LGBT+ individuals from discrimination, increasing funding for public education, expanding access to healthy foods in rural communities through small business promotion and protections, and reforming FEMA policies to better protect vulnerable states from natural disasters. A key promise made by Edwards is that he would expand President Young's crusade against human traffickers, a pledge that has given him unexpected support among Republican voters.
Edwards has faced skepticism from progressive voters due to his anti-abortion policies, having signed a 15-week ban, something the governor has not backed down from. Edwards has labeled himself as a pro-life Democrat, in support of banning the death penalty outside of extreme stances and protecting unborn lives with similar care. Edwards has also made pledges to maintain U.S. support for Ukraine and Israel, but with the goal of ending both wars by the end of 2025 and gradually reducing funds for military aid.
Endorsements: Frmr Secretary Gwen Graham (FL), Frmr Secretary Tom Vilsack (IO), Senator Jeff Jackson (NC), Frmr Senator Mary Landrieu (LA), Representative Jared Golden (ME), Representative Jared Moskowitz (FL), Representative Sanford Bishop (GA), Representative Vincente Gonzalez (TX), Representative Josh Gottheimer (NJ), Governor Andy Beshear (KY), Governor Doug Jones (AL), Governor Brandon Pressley (MS), Governor David Toland (KS), Governor Roy Cooper (NC), Frmr Mayor Mitch Landrieu (LA), Stephen A. Smith (NY), Sean M. O'Brien (MA).
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Considered the black sheep of the Democratic Party, RFK has become a rising star in the primaries due to his independent, populist campaign. Focusing his message to be on addressing declining health among the public, combating corporate influence in politics, and drastic environmentalist goals. If elected, Kennedy has promised to expand healthcare coverage for low-income Americans while reducing costs for private insurers, introduce stricter regulation on carbon emissions, and combat the social media industry and similar tech giants for enabling child exploitation and endangerment.
When asked about his position on the conflict in Gaza, RFK has criticized Palestinian leadership for continually mismanaging federal aid and refusing previous peace and land agreements, as well as criticizing Prime Minister Netanyahu for what he argued was an increasingly erratic military policy.
RFK's controversial past of anti-vax comments, an issue that led to his departure from the Becerra Administration during the covid pandemic, has made him a pariah in recent years. Many Democrats, including the influential Kennedy family, have called RFK's campaign dangerous due to its fringe beliefs and threat to secure President Young's reelection. Despite this, RFK has managed to build a growing coalition of youth, independents, and dissatisfied Democrats frustrated with the out of touch Democratic leaders.
Endorsements: Frmr Secretary Harold Ford Jr. (TN), Frmr Secretary Joe Manchin (WV), Frmr General Wesley Clark (AR), Senator Jon Tester (MT), Senator John Fetterman (PA), Frmr Senator Lincoln Chafee (RI), Representative Tulsi Gabbard (HI), Representative Jared Polis (CO), Representative Henry Cuellar (TX), Frmr Governor John Kitzhaber (OR), Frmr Governor Jesse Ventura (ME), Jack Dorsey (CA), Tony Robbins (CA), Andrew Yang (NY), Nichole Shanahan (CA), Zachary Levi (LA), Aaron Rodgers (PA).
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