Who could actually replace Biden? We break down the options.

Choosing Harris would avoid a messy intraparty fight, given her support from Biden and many Hill Democrats. Stepping over Biden’s own vice president would cause a fracas within segments of the Democratic Party who would see it as a diss to Black Democrats — and in particular to Black women, who are often described as the backbone of the party. She was also known as a strong fundraiser.

Her 2020 primary campaign flamed out before a vote was cast and Harris’ national polling has been weak throughout her time in office. She’s easily tied to Biden, whose unpopularity could drag down her electoral prospects, but as the winner of his endorsement, this could be a strength. She’d also have to contend with racist and sexist attacks.

Pritzker has a lot of cash, and his last name is plastered across philanthropic efforts, buildings and various wings of museums across Illinois. His ties to Democrats across the country could bring him support — fast.

Republicans would assuredly go after him for the well-trodden issue of crime in Chicago — despite a complicated picture of how crime rates have changed since he’s become governor — and how he’s dealt with the migrant crisis. There are whispers that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott plans to bus more migrants to Chicago ahead of the DNC; Abbott certainly won’t be shy if Pritzker ascends quickly to the nomination.

Newsom is a strong fundraiser and his existing national profile would be useful in a race that would be significantly truncated. And he has experience doing battle with Republicans and looked to take those fights to their backyards. In doing so, he’s managed to create a national profile.

He can look like an out-of-touch liberal elite, and his Covid-era love of fancy California eateries made him look like a hypocrite. He was so reviled by a slice of the state that he faced a recall effort in 2021, and a group of his opponents are trying to put together another recall this year. He’s faced frustration from his constituents — many of them Democrats — that might be less than ideal for a national choice.

Whitmer is a popular governor from a state that Democrats need to capture if they want to keep the White House. She’s looked like a potential 2028 successor since she won the gubernatorial race in 2022 by nearly 11 points — a huge margin for Michigan — and also managed to lead the Democratic Party to full control of state government for the first time since 1983.

Whether she would be able to replicate her statewide success in a national environment remains to be seen. She’s proven that her strategy of steady relationship-building works in Michigan, but she wouldn’t have nearly the same amount of time to build out a national operation. She’d also have to contend with potential sexism, which punished Trump’s last female opponent.

Shapiro could boost Democrats’ odds of securing the state. He’s a moderate who has been able to siphon off some GOP and independent voters with stances such as his support for police. He’s sought to make democracy a core part of his political identity, especially during his time as attorney general during the 2020 election.

He has less of a national profile than some of the others, and he’s only been governor since 2023. His opponent was an unpopular candidate who ran a weak campaign. And he may struggle to win over progressives with his centrist positions on law enforcement and public schools.

He’s one of the more popular governors in the country. Democrats are intrigued by his ability to win in one of the most Republican states in the country, especially as they’ve lost power in the South.

His lack of national experience might make him better suited to take on the role of vice president on a new ticket. Not only does Beshear lack the national exposure many other people on this list have, he’d be starting from scratch, without built-in support that could help quickly launch a winning campaign.

Internal Democratic polling suggests he might have a significantly better chance at winning in November than Harris or Biden. A moderate mayor from a red state in the Midwest, he may appeal to the more independent and centrist voters who could ultimately decide the election. His 2020 campaign appearances fueled a massive small-dollar money machine.

Buttigieg is still relatively untested as a national candidate, and he has mishandled some high-profile crises, most notably the toxic mess resulting from a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. He let Trump make it to the crash site before anyone from the administration did. He would also present the most high-profile test yet of the American electorate’s acceptance of openly LGBTQ+ candidates.