The midterms were a welcome reprieve for democracy. But the story of Bill Gates, an Arizona election official, suggests that we might not be out of the woods yet. Though the 2020 presidential election was a success, it was a minor one compared to what could come in the next US presidential election in 2024.
The Republicans have wasted no time in getting a head start on the race for the White House. Three Republicans have officially declared they are running for their party's 2024 presidential nomination: former president Donald Trump, former vice-president Mike Pence and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley.
Trump's popularity among the Republican base remains high, and the former president has yet to rule out a 2024 candidacy. Pence, on the other hand, has been more coy about his intentions, but he has not ruled out a bid either. Haley, meanwhile, has been hinting at a possible run for months.
The Republican field is getting crowded fast. Former Maryland governor Larry Hogan has bowed out, fearing that a crowded Republican field will help Trump. And Marianne Williamson has made a reprise run official.
The potential 2024 presidential candidate Pence also took a veiled swipe at Trump over Republicans' performance in the 2022 midterms. Pence said the party should focus on “winning elections and rewarding the loyalty of our voters”, a statement seen as an implicit criticism of Trump’s divisive brand of politics.
Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador, has announced she is a candidate to become US president in 2024. Haley has been critical of Trump in the past, but has recently sought to make amends with the former president and his loyalists.
Indian-American tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has launched his 2024 presidential bid with a promise to “put merit back” and end “the politics of division” that has come to define the current Republican Party.
The outcome of the 2024 presidential election could have a profound impact on the future of US democratic institutions. If no candidate receives a majority of Electoral College votes, the U.S. House of Representatives elected in the 2024 election would decide the outcome. This means that the party in control of the House in 2024 would have a major say in who becomes the next president.
The US presidential election of 2024 is likely to be one of the most consequential in the country’s history. It could be the deciding factor in whether US democracy will be strengthened or weakened.
The potential election of a pro-Russian president could shift the outcome of a prolonged war in Putin's favour. This would represent a serious threat to US national security and international relations.
The election of 2024 could also be a major turning point for gun laws in the US. If Republicans retain control of Congress, they will likely push for more restrictive gun laws. If Democrats regain control, they will likely push for more lenient gun laws.
