As the current President of the United States Donald Trump prepares to leave office in January of 2021, many potential Republican candidates for the 2024 Presidential race have already began jockeying for position. With such a large field of potential candidates, it can be difficult to narrow down. However, with the help of recent polls and news analysis, Godzilla Newz has compiled the following list of the top 10 Republican Presidential candidates for 2024, ranked.
1. Mike Pence: The former Vice President and current Governor of Indiana has arguably the highest name recognition of any candidate on this list. While Pence has yet to commit to the race, recent polls show that his favorability is on the rise with the majority of Republicans.
2. Tom Cotton: With his stalwart convictions and no-nonsense approach to lawmaking in Congress, Cotton has made a name for himself as an uncompromising conservative. Cotton’s service in the military has also given him an added level of credibility on issues of national defense.
3. Mitt Romney: Romney’s unsuccessful bid for the White House in 2012 may have been unsuccessful, but that doesn’t mean his experience isn’t valued in the GOP. As a former Governor of Massachusetts, Romney is well versed on the issues, and his recent decision to impeach the President shows he’s not afraid to take a stand.
4. Nikki Haley: A former Governor of South Carolina, Haley has gained national attention for her strong positions on taxing and foreign policy. She also has a strong support base across the south, which could be key to success in the nomination process.
5. Josh Hawley: The current Missouri Senator who became an early leader in the anti-Trump movement during his time in the state legislature is seen as a key figure in appealing to the center-right of the Republican party. Hawley’s stance on healthcare and other social policies will be important for the different factions of the party.
6. Marco Rubio: The two-term Senator from Florida is seen as someone who can help bridge the gap between the establishment base and more conservative factions of the Republican party. His strong stance on immigration will be popular in key states like Florida.
7. Ted Cruz: The former presidential candidate retains a core base of supporters, largely due to his strong positions on fiscal and social issues. His strong debate performances during his 2016 Presidential bid also make him an attractive candidate whom many are watching closely.
8. Larry Hogan: Hogan’s current role as Governor of Maryland could be a key advantage come primary time. He has consistently ranked as one of the most popular governors in the country, and his centrist fiscal views could attract more moderate voters.
9. John Kasich: The former Ohio governor and 2016 primary contender rose to prominence for taking a relatively centrist approach to his policymaking and often finding himself at odds with his fellow Republicans. That being said, he still has solid favorability ratings among Republicans nationwide.
10. Paul Ryan: The former Speaker of the House and 2012 Vice Presidential candidate is considered a long shot for the 2024 nomination. However, his experience in Washington, including being a key player in the passage of the 2017 Tax Cuts, will likely give him a role in future fiscal policy.
With the election cycle still two years away, the Republican field for 2024 could look very different than the one listed above. However, these top 10 candidates are expected to be at the forefront of the current Republican primary process and will certainly be ones to watch as the election cycle continues.