Who could replace Biden? A look at Kamala Harris, other front-runners

With President Joe Biden ending his bid for reelection, there's widespread speculation over who will replace him at the top of the ticket. 

Biden, who announced his exit from the race Sunday in a post on social media, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee in a separate post on X (formerly Twitter). But his endorsement doesn't automatically make her the Democratic Party's nominee for president in the 2024 election. 

Here's a look at who else could replace Biden as the nominee: 

Vice President Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris is the most likely successor, given her role as vice president and her extensive political background, including her tenure as a U.S. Senator and California's Attorney General. Despite her historic achievements, she faces challenges due to her polling numbers and previous presidential campaign performance. It is important to note that Harris, despite being Biden's running mate, cannot automatically assume the top of the ticket if Biden steps down. Biden cannot simply decree that she replace him.

If Biden chooses to abandon his reelection campaign, Harris would join other top Democratic candidates vying for the nomination. This scenario would require her and others to lobby individual state delegations at the convention for their support, according to the AP.

California Governor Gavin Newsom

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, is seen as a strong candidate due to his progressive policies and national visibility. His handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent policy initiatives have kept him in the national spotlight.

Newsom said on Sunday that Biden "will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents."

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Gretchen Whitmer has gained national attention for her handling of the COVID-19 crisis and her strong stance on issues like reproductive rights and infrastructure. Her leadership in a key swing state adds to her appeal as a potential candidate.

RELATED: Whitmer to attend dinner with Biden, other Democratic governors amid brewing criticisms of president

She said Sunday Biden "is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump," and that her role in this election would be to "do everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump."
 

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg

Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and current secretary of transportation, remains a notable figure within the Democratic Party. His successful 2020 presidential campaign and his work in the Biden administration position him as a potential candidate.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker

J.B. Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, has been a prominent advocate for progressive policies on healthcare, labor rights, and climate change. His leadership and substantial personal wealth could make him a formidable candidate.

RELATED: Pritzker to meet with Biden at White House amid concerns

New Jersey Senator Cory Booker

Cory Booker, a U.S. senator from New Jersey, has consistently been a strong voice on criminal justice reform, economic equality, and healthcare. His experience and national recognition could help him rally support within the party.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar's moderate stance and strong performance in the 2020 Democratic primaries have kept her in the conversation as a potential candidate. Her focus on bipartisan solutions and effective governance could appeal to a broad spectrum of voters.

Can Biden even be replaced?

It would be nearly impossible for Democrats to replace Biden due to several key factors. Every state has already held its presidential primary. Democratic rules mandate that the delegates Biden won remain bound to support him at the party's upcoming national convention unless he tells them he’s leaving the race, according to the AP.

The conventions and their rules are controlled by the political parties. The Democratic National Committee could meet before the convention opens on Aug. 19 and change how things will work, but that isn't likely as long as Biden wants to continue seeking reelection.

While the Democratic National Committee could technically change these rules before the convention, such a move is unlikely as long as Biden continues his reelection campaign.

Will anyone challenge Harris?

Even before Biden announced his decision to endorse Harris some Democrats argued publicly, and many privately, that it would be a no-brainer to elevate the first woman, first Black woman and first person of south Asian descent to hold national office.

Given how important Black voters – and Black women especially – were to Biden’s nomination and his choice of Harris as running mate, it would be risky, to say the least, for Democrats to pass her over for a white nominee. 

Democrats already faced historical headwinds before Biden's withdrawal. Newsom and Whitmer, both of whom are white, and any other Democrat would also have to weigh the short-term and long-term benefits of challenging Harris now versus preserving goodwill for a future presidential primary.

Yet, fair or not, Harris also has not been viewed as an especially beloved or empowered vice president. The best scenario for her and Democrats is to quickly shore up support and project a united front. Democrats could even go forward with their plans for an early virtual vote – a move they’d planned to make sure Biden was selected ahead of Ohio’s general election ballot deadline.

RELATED: Biden drops out, endorses Kamala Harris: What to know about the current vice president

Could Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump?

A recent national poll indicates that three-quarters of voters say the Democratic Party would have a better chance of keeping the White House with someone else other than President Biden at the top of the party's ticket.

And the survey, released by CNN, suggests that Vice President Kamala Harris performs slightly better than Biden in a matchup with former President Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee.

The new poll was conducted entirely after Biden's extremely rough performance during last Thursday's face-to-face showdown between the two major party contenders.

Another national NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll found that Biden and Trump remain statistically tied, even in the aftermath of the widely panned debate. However, Harris narrowly led Trump 50% to 49%, in another statistical tie.

READ MORE: Can Joe Biden be replaced?

The Associated Press and Daniel Miller contributed to this story.