As the contentious 2024 presidential election approaches, multiple politicians have officially announced their candidacy. There remain many unsolved economic, climate-related and international issues that continue to challenge and transform national politics and raise questions about who will prove themselves as a promising candidate in the upcoming election. Here is a current list of several confirmed candidates. 

Joe Biden (Democratic Party)

Biden’s numerous presidential accomplishments such as protecting marriage equality, enacting student-debt relief for working-class citizens, signing the Inflation Reduction Act and improving healthcare for veterans have earned him accolades from many. However, recent and pressing issues such as the Russo-Ukrainian War and his response to environmental issues by signing the Willow Project into action have garnered much public criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike. Some have even mentioned concern about his old age affecting his political abilities. Biden has a current nationwide approval rating of 42.1%, according to FiveThirtyEight, a political statistics website. Having formally confirmed his candidacy on April 25, 2023, he will need to work hard to secure the Democratic nomination. 

Marianne Williamson (Democratic Party)

Self-help author and spiritual advisor Marianne Williamson became the first Democrat to officially announce her candidacy on March 4, 2023. At her campaign kickoff in Washington, D.C., she said, “It is our job to create a vision of justice and love that is so powerful that it will override the forces of hatred and injustice and fear.” Williamson labeled her campaign as a disruption to the system. She states on her website that the main objectives of her presidency would be to implement a Whole Health Plan that would increase healthcare accessibility, introduce a cabinet-level Department of Children and Youth, take action supporting climate justice and reproductive rights and enact a working economy plan. However, healthcare experts have questioned her controversial views on medical concerns such as vaccines and anti-depressant drugs. While Williamson lacks political experience, she continues to pose progressive concepts to the Democratic Party. 

Donald Trump (Republican Party)

Despite being impeached twice and now faced with criminal charges for falsifying business records and being indicted for bribery, Trump has declared that he will stop at nothing to continue his 2024 campaign. At a recent Texas City rally, Trump said, “2024 is the final battle, it’s going to be the big one.” Trump continues to spread dangerous false information and violence, as he played footage of men imprisoned for their January 6 insurrection singing a song called “Justice for All.” Many voters remain loyal to Trump due to deep anger caused by generations of economic insecurity combined with a heightened and polarized political climate. Even though he was arrested on April 4 and critics have declared his possible presidency as apocalyptic, Trump has emphasized that he is determined to assert himself as a candidate. 

Nikki Haley (Republican Party)

Republican candidate Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, announced her campaign on February 14, 2023. Haley aims to capitalize on her experience serving in Trump’s cabinet. Haley recently said on Twitter, “Strong and proud — not weak and woke — that’s the America I see!” What sets Haley apart from a typical Republican candidate is that she is the first woman of color to be a serious contender for the Republican nomination. While Haley is a daughter of immigrant parents from India, she emphasizes border security and control as the focal point of her potential policies. Many compare Haley’s political beliefs to those of Trump’s, as MAGA extremism.