Presidential race heats up as democratic party considers candidates beyond harris

The Democratic Party in the United States has not yet made an official announcement regarding a new presidential candidate. President Joe Biden has expressed his support for Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s new candidate. However, the selection of a new presidential contender within the party is not automatic. On Monday, discussions about the U.S. presidential elections included insights from Professor Benita Heiskanen of the University of Turku and Professor Mikko Saikku of the University of Helsinki.

Professor Heiskanen noted that former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has advocated for an open competition within the party to determine the new presidential candidate. Heiskanen highlighted that Pelosi suggested this open competition might allow Harris to solidify her position as a legitimate candidate.

Heiskanen listed several viable candidates aside from Harris, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. It is worth noting that both Whitmer and Shapiro have already endorsed Harris. According to Saikku, while Harris currently holds an advantage, the emergence of another candidate is not impossible. He identified West Virginia’s independent Senator Joe Manchin as a potential candidate who could attract even some of Donald Trump’s voters. Manchin is reportedly considering re-registering as a Democrat and running for the party’s presidential nomination.

Despite Biden’s recommendation for party members to support Harris, Heiskanen clarified that there is no obligation to vote for her. The party convention permits any individual to enter the race under these circumstances.

Heiskanen also pointed out that Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner, currently enjoys a strong position within his party and his campaign team has prepared for Harris’s potential candidacy. They have already issued disparaging statements about her. However, should another individual emerge as the Democratic candidate instead of Harris, Heiskanen predicts that it could disrupt the Republican landscape.