Now that the 2022 midterm elections are over, the fight for the 2024 Republican nominee has begun. While there’s no way to predict who the nominee will be, there are plenty of contenders for the leader of the Republican party.
Former President Donald Trump
The most prominent candidate is former President Donald Trump, who has already declared his presidential run. President Trump has been the de facto party leader since his 2016 campaign started the new conservative movement, but the weak performance of Trump-endorsed candidates in the midterm elections has cast some doubt on support from within his party. The MAGA base is loyal to Trump and is expected to vote for him in droves. Donald Trump brought new life into the Republican party with his victory in 2016, and that energy has retained his loyal base.
Governor Ron DeSantis
Donald Trump’s biggest challenger comes in Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. An impressive victory in Florida, has built a strong argument for a DeSantis candidacy. Governor DeSantis has been an impressive governor of Florida, enacting legislation such as the “Stop WOKE Act” or sending illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard. All these actions have made him popular with Republicans and hated by the media. DeSantis has the same populist appeal that Trump thrived upon, while lacking a lot of the baggage that the former President comes with, making him a formidable candidate.
Former Vice President Michael Pence
Another contender is Trump’s former right-hand man, Mike Pence. Former Vice President Pence is being hailed as the most conservative figure of the Trump administration. As Vice President Pence provided a soft-spoken balance to Trumps’ more energized behavior. For Republicans who soured on Donald Trump after 2020, but still prefer Trump-era policies, Mike Pence could be the best of both worlds. However, many Trump supporters blame Mike Pence for his role in certifying the 2020 electoral votes, which Trump claims were illegitimate, casting doubt on his ability to win that crowd over.
Governor Glenn Youngkin
After his victory in Virginia’s gubernatorial election, the prospects of a Glenn Youngkin presidency became a serious possibility. Many believed it would be impossible for a Republican to flip Virginia, and the chances did not look good for Youngkin. However, he mobilized a campaign centered around the culture war and won big. This major Republican victory turned Youngkin into a contender for new life within the Republican party. While Youngkin is focused on his current term as governor, the idea of a Youngkin administration is lingering
The 2024 election will determine the trajectory of the Republican party and the country as a whole. If the Republican party is going to succeed, it will require a robust, conservative vision with strong leadership. The fight has just begun, and the drama to unfold over the coming months will be captivating, to say the least.
Michael Ippolito
Michael Ippolito is a senior at the Catholic University of America. Michael is a Catholic, president of his College Republicans chapter, and conservative.
The views expressed in this article are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Lone Conservative staff.
