The 2024 presidential election season is already upon us, and with it comes a flurry of speculation as to who will be the next president of the United States. At the center of the conversation is former President Donald Trump, who has already declared his intentions to seek the Republican nomination and is seen as the front-runner for the party. But he's not alone in the race, as several other Republicans have already declared their candidacy, including former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, and current Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The competition for the Republican nomination will be fierce, and it's likely that Trump will face a crowded field of candidates. In 2016, Trump was able to win the Republican nod thanks in part to a fractured field. We remember the famous “Never Trump” movement, which sought to keep him from winning the nomination. This time around, Trump's opponents will be much better organized and will have more resources at their disposal.
Money is always a factor in presidential elections, and the 2024 race is no exception. In order to win the nomination, candidates will have to raise a lot of money and have the resources to mount a successful campaign. However, money isn't the only factor. As David Karol, a political scientist at the University of Maryland, argued, “Money's role in presidential primaries is overstated.”