Former President Donald Trump will compete against Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming US presidential election on Tuesday, as both candidates make their final appeals to voters in key battleground states ahead of a closely contested race.
In addition to Trump and Harris, several third-party candidates are also running for the presidency. Here’s a complete list of those vying for the White House in 2024.
Kamala Harris’s Campaign
Kamala Harris, age 60, secured the Democratic Party’s nomination after President Joe Biden decided not to run for re-election. This allows the Democrats to present a refreshed vision for America, contrasting with Trump’s agenda as they aim to rally their base of young voters, people of color, and suburban women.
Harris, who previously served as a US senator, California attorney general, and San Francisco prosecutor, became the first woman and first person of color to serve as vice president when Biden selected her in 2020. If she wins, she would be the first female president in US history.
Recent opinion polls show a close race between Harris and Trump, with Harris leading 44% to 43% nationally, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on October 29.
Other polls indicate that Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, are in tight races across seven key battleground states: Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, Michigan, and Nevada.
In the campaign’s final weeks, Harris has intensified efforts to depict Trump as a danger to democracy, especially after he made alarming comments about “the enemy within” the country and hinted at deploying military forces domestically.
She has also echoed the views of Trump’s former chief of staff, John Kelly, who labeled him a fascist—an assertion Trump and his supporters have denied. Harris has made reproductive rights and personal freedoms central to her campaign and supports a national law to ensure access to safe abortion.
Her economic plan includes tax cuts for most Americans, bans on price gouging, affordable housing initiatives, and a new child tax credit, along with measures to boost domestic manufacturing. She has proposed increasing the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28% and eliminating taxes on tips. Additionally, she has promised stricter immigration controls and better management of fentanyl at the border.
On climate and energy issues, Harris aligns with Biden’s focus on addressing climate change. She has been seen as supportive of technology while addressing antitrust and privacy concerns and has assured donors of her commitment to capitalism.
Regarding foreign policy, Harris is expected to follow Biden’s approach on critical issues such as Ukraine, China, and Iran. She has pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a ceasefire in Gaza while also stating that Hamas must be “eliminated” and reaffirming the US commitment to arming Israel.
Key labor unions, including the Service Employees International Union, the United Auto Workers, and the American Federation of Teachers, have endorsed her. She has also received support from former military officials, corporate executives, and numerous past Republican leaders.
Donald Trump’s Campaign
Donald Trump, 78, secured the Republican nomination in July, marking his third consecutive run for the presidency after losing in 2020. He continues to claim that Democrats stole the 2020 election while campaigning amid significant legal challenges, including a recent indictment related to his attempts to overturn the election results.
During his presidency from 2017 to 2021, Trump has characterized his legal troubles as political attacks, promising “retribution” against those he sees as enemies while using increasingly alarming rhetoric.
Trump made history as the first former US president to be convicted of a crime in May and was also impeached twice. He denies any wrongdoing.
He has chosen US Senator JD Vance from Ohio as his running mate and has refused to guarantee acceptance of the 2024 election results, leaving open the possibility of political violence while laying the groundwork for contesting a potential loss. His unproven claims of voter fraud in battleground states like Pennsylvania have raised concerns about his intentions if he were to lose again.
Additionally, Trump has promised to pardon supporters convicted for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and has threatened to prosecute election officials, donors, and others if he wins.
He stated he would not run again if he loses. As the oldest nominee in US history, Trump could also become the second-oldest president. He has faced two assassination attempts one at a Pennsylvania campaign rally and another near his Florida golf course.
Trump’s affiliated think tanks have proposed the “Project 2025” policy agenda, aiming to undermine the independence of the Justice Department, among other goals. He has distanced himself from the project despite the involvement of his former aides and Vance. He seeks to appoint loyalists to replace federal civil service workers.
On foreign policy, Trump promises to change the US relationship with NATO and resolve the Ukraine conflict, potentially requiring Ukraine to cede territory. He has stated that Hamas must be “crushed” and has vowed to take a tougher stance on Iran, though he has not provided detailed proposals.
Immigration remains a top issue for Trump, who has pledged mass deportations, including of legal Haitian immigrants, and plans to end birthright citizenship while expanding a travel ban on certain countries.
He takes credit for the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, stating that abortion laws should be determined by states, and has expressed no support for banning birth control.
In economic policy, Trump plans to impose significant tariffs on imports and specific companies, eliminate taxes on tips and overtime, and make emergency generators tax-deductible in disaster-hit states. He aims to lower corporate tax rates and open federal lands to foreign companies.
Additionally, he has pledged to reverse many of Biden’s climate initiatives. Trump has faced backlash, including from some within the Republican Party, for making personal attacks on Harris, including those targeting her race and gender. He appointed former Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to his transition team and suggested billionaire supporter Elon Musk could help improve government efficiency.
The National Fraternal Order of Police and various police organizations have also endorsed his presidential campaign.
Chase Oliver’s Candidacy
While the Libertarian Party invited Trump to its convention, they ultimately chose Chase Oliver, who is 39 years old. Oliver previously ran for a Georgia state Senate seat in 2022, securing 2% of the vote.
Jill Stein’s Campaign
Jill Stein, a 74-year-old physician, previously ran under the Green Party in 2016 and is running again in 2024. She launched her current campaign by accusing Democrats of repeatedly betraying their promises to working people, youth, and climate action.
Cornel West’s Bid
Cornel West, a political activist and philosopher, aims to attract progressive, Democratic-leaning voters. At 71 years old, he initially ran as a Green Party candidate but later declared himself an independent, emphasizing that voters want policies over partisan politics. He promises to end poverty and guarantee housing for all.
