Popular governors, incumbent senators, former members of your government, including your former vice president: Several GOP figures could challenge Donald Trump in the upcoming White House race.
The ex-president announced on Tuesday that he will seek a new term in 2024. Although he remains very popular with his supporters, his aura faded after the defeat of several of the candidates he was promoting in the mid-term elections. And many are looking at alternatives for the Republican primaries.
Here are the billionaire’s potential rivals, none of whom have entered the race yet:
Ron DeSantis
At 44, the Florida governor is the rising star of the far right.
In 2018 he was narrowly chosen to govern this southern US state after being supported by Trump, whose ideas he shares but not his excesses. Since then, he has distanced himself and gained popularity by keeping Florida open during the pandemic while multiplying ultra-conservative jabs on education or immigration.
In the midterm elections he was re-elected with more than 20 points ahead of his Democratic rival."For me the fight is just beginning"he said then, fueling speculation.
A former college baseball player and naval officer, married and the father of three, this Catholic embodies traditional authority and family, values ​​held dear in his field.
Trump said he would not wear gloves in a duel, dubbing him "Ron De-Prude"("Ron DeSanctimonius"), belittling his electoral victory.
The polls still give the billionaire a comfortable lead, but the gap between the two is narrowing: Trump collects about 50% of the intention to vote among Republicans, against 30% for DeSantis.
Mike Pence
After years of unwavering loyalty to Trump, his former vice president changed his tune following the January 6, 2021 storming of the Capitol by Trump militants.
Mike Pence said the president’s words were "reckless" that day and accused him of having "endangered". Trump had insisted that Pence refuse to certify Joe Biden’s electoral victory in Congress.
But the former governor of Indiana did not, which still generates strong resistance among Trumpists and jeopardizes his chances in a Republican primary. Pence collects around 7% of voting intentions according to polls.
However, this 63-year-old evangelical Christian, a fierce opponent of abortion, seems determined to be a candidate: he has just published a memoir titled "So Help Me God" (Help me God) and multiply his appearances and speeches.
Glenn Youngkin
Businessman Glenn Youngkin, 55, traded off wresting the Virginia governorship from Democrats in 2021 and has since pursued classic right-wing politics (lower taxes, extra funding for police), combined with controversial measures about people. transgender or anti-racism programs in schools.
As a non-candidate, he was heavily involved in the midterm campaign and several GOP donors would, according to the media, be willing to support him if he decided to seek the party’s nomination.
Tim Scott, Nikki Haley and the moderates
Former South Carolina governor and former US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, 50, could be one of the few women to embark on the Republican primary. She never questioned Trump’s record, but was openly critical of his post-election crusade over alleged fraud that has never been proven.
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, 57, dreams of being the first black Republican president. After his re-election on November 8 – with a 26-point lead over his rival – he evoked the figure of his grandfather, who had voted for Barack Obama."I wish I had lived to see another black president and this time it was a Republican!".
In a Republican party that has shifted to the right, where white men dominate, Haley and Scott’s chances seem limited.
The names of the governors of Maryland, Larry Hogan, and of New Hampshire, Chris Sununu, as well as that of former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, are also mentioned. These moderates, popular with independents, are outspoken critics of Trump.
Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, 51, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, 58, both with more Trumpist profiles, also appear to be poised to compete.