After President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the election fray, the door to become the Democratic candidate in the presidential election has opened for many contenders. President Biden has given his support to Vice President Kamala Harris as the party candidate and many other prominent Democratic leaders have also come forward in favor of her candidature, but it is not clear how easy her path to candidature in the party will be. Biden's decision to exit the race comes after three weeks of heated debate in the media and within the Biden administration over his future in the race after his poor performance in the first presidential debate on June 27. Harris, 59, is the first Indian-American to be elected as the Vice President of the US in 2021 and is now standing as a potential Democratic presidential candidate.
Kamala Harris Born in Oakland, California, Vice President Kamala Harris considers the late civil rights lawyer and jurist Thurgood Marshall as her inspiration and often mentions the influence of her parents, who were involved in the civil rights movement, on her life. Los Angeles lawyer Douglas Emhoff is Kamala Harris's husband. Biden called Harris a fearless warrior while choosing her as his vice-presidential candidate in 2020.
Governor Roy Cooper – Cooper, 67, the governor of North Carolina, could bring geographic diversity and appeal to the battleground state. Known for their strong approval ratings and bipartisan support, Harris and Cooper have campaigned together since Biden's weak performance in a June debate. According to Vox, the governor has also warned about a return to power for Donald Trump.
Governor Josh Shapiro – Pennsylvania's governor, Shapiro, 51, is a popular centrist. Known for his work as attorney general and his bipartisan legislative accomplishments, Shapiro has also been a vocal supporter of Israel, potentially attracting moderate voters.
Governor Andy Beshear – Beshear, 46, the governor of Kentucky, has won two terms in a state that heavily favored Trump. He has been praised for his management of the COVID-19 pandemic and his handling of crises such as a mass bank shooting and severe flooding.
