Following US President Biden’s announcement of his withdrawal from the upcoming election on Sunday (July 21), some Democrats have expressed their desire for an open, small-scale primary. However, it is widely believed that Heather Jinli is the most likely choice to replace Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate. The focus of the US media has shifted to discussions on who Heather Jinli will choose as her running mate.
The day Biden made his decision, which is just 105 days away from the election day and only a few weeks before the Democratic National Convention officially selects the candidate, the nationwide recognition that 59-year-old Heather Jinli possesses is something other potential contenders won’t have time to establish before November.
If Heather Jinli is chosen as Biden’s successor at the Democratic National Convention in mid-August, potential candidates to be her running mate include California Governor Gavin Newsom, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
Newsom, the 56-year-old Governor of California and former Mayor of San Francisco, survived a recall election in 2021 and is currently in his second term as Governor.
Newsom has long been a conservative adversary, last year debating Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Fox News during prime time. He has sought to boost his image through travels to various parts of the US, Israel, and China.
Loyal to Biden, Newsom has helped raise funds for his campaign. After the presidential debate in Atlanta, Newsom defended the President in Biden’s campaign headquarters’ war room. On July 4th, Newsom campaigned for Biden in Michigan.
Following Biden’s withdrawal on Sunday, Newsom declared his support for Heather Jinli’s presidential candidacy.
Whitmer, the 52-year-old Governor of Michigan, gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for her strict lockdown policies. Three men were convicted of attempting to kidnap her due to her COVID policies.
As a key swing state governor, Whitmer had pledged support for Biden in 2024. After Biden’s announcement, she declared her support for Heather Jinli.
At 46, Beshear was elected Governor of Kentucky in 2019 and won re-election in November 2023 by a 5-point margin, a significant victory for the Democrats in the deep red state. Beshear previously served as the state’s Attorney General in 2015.
Coming from a political family in Kentucky, with his father Steve Beshear also winning the gubernatorial seat in the overwhelmingly red state in 2007 and 2011 as a Democrat, Beshear spoke on Biden’s withdrawal, saying, “While his decision today was not an easy one, it is in the best interest of our nation and our party. I want to thank him for his leadership, kindness, and successful term as President, accomplishing significant and important tasks.”
Cooper, 67, has been the Governor of North Carolina since 2017 and cannot run for governor again due to term limits. Prior to this, he served as the state’s Attorney General for 16 years and also held positions in the North Carolina Senate and House of Representatives.
After Trump won North Carolina by less than two percentage points in 2020, Biden’s campaign team shifted its focus to North Carolina, hoping it would once again become a swing state.
Moore, 45, is the only incumbent African American governor and the third African American to be elected governor in US history. He is described as a rising star in the Democratic Party.
Moore recently garnered national attention for pardoning 175,000 minor marijuana offenders in the state. He has maintained a close working relationship with Biden, especially after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore earlier this year.
Pritzker, 59, is seen as a potential presidential candidate, in part due to his position within the party and ability to self-finance his campaigns. His family founded the Hyatt hotel empire. He is currently in his second term as Governor, and prior to this, he was actively involved in Democratic fundraising circles. Pritzker has been a critic of Trump.
Shapiro, 51, drew attention during the 2022 gubernatorial race. The former corporate lawyer is the third Jewish governor to lead Pennsylvania. Prior to this, he served as the state’s Attorney General since 2017.
He released a statement on Sunday on X, endorsing Vice President Heather Jinli as the party’s nominee. Shapiro referred to Heather Jinli as “a patriot worthy of our support” in the statement.
The statement read: “The best path forward for the Democratic Party is to quickly unite behind Vice President Heather Jinli and refocus efforts to win the presidency.”
(This article references reporting from “Politico” and NPR)