Top 10 People Who Should Run for the 2024 Republican Nomination

Looks like there will be a large number of Republicans running for the 2024 Republican nomination. But the real question is: will any of them be able to defeat Donald Trump?

The Top Ten

Ron DeSantis

Ron DeSantis (born September 14, 1978) is an American politician, attorney, and former naval officer. He has served as the 46th governor of Florida since January 8, 2019. Prior to that, DeSantis represented Florida's 6th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018, and... read more

If there were an award in US politics for most improved or fastest riser, Ron DeSantis would win it. He soared in popularity after his mostly hands-off response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has dominated the conservative news cycle ever since with his legislation against CRT, wokeism, and trans athletes. He is bright, young, and a mostly controversy-free version of Trump.
If Trump didn't run, DeSantis would easily win the nomination. However, with a Trump 2024 run looking almost certain, there could be a real battle if DeSantis decides to put his name in the hat. He's already won a few polls against the Don himself.
Donald Trump

Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York) is an American businessman, television personality, politician, and the 45th and 47th President of the United States.
Born and raised in Queens, New York City, Donald J. Trump received an economics degree from the Wharton School of the... read more

The obvious favorite. Trump has hinted several times in interviews that he'll run in 2024 and has "already made up his mind." He is apparently considering announcing a run as early as the midterms.
The problem, however, is that he has many more haters than in 2020, particularly after the election fraud claims and the January 6 riot. He is now as old as Biden was when he decided to run a few years back. While he might have the majority of support among Republicans, he doesn't have the majority of support among Americans.
Biden's below-par performance makes it seem like Trump v. Biden 2.0 could be a somewhat tight battle.

Must get him in. Drain the swamp, maga, stop the wars, fix the border and mass deportation of illegals, it’s absolutely imperative that the Dumpster gets back into the Oval Office. The western world is vulnerable and if America is lost the western world values will be lost.
Ted Cruz

Rafael Edward "Ted" Cruz is an American politician and attorney who has served as the junior United States Senator from Texas since 2013. He was a candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in the 2016 election. Cruz is affiliated with the Tea Party movement and is known... read more

He came ever so close in 2016 to winning the Republican nomination, and Ted has stayed in the spotlight ever since. Could he be mounting another run?
Mike Pence

Michael Richard Pence is an American politician and lawyer who served as the 48th vice president of the United States from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021. He was elected alongside President Donald Trump and held office for one full term. Before becoming vice president, Pence served as the governor... read more

Ever since Joe Biden was declared President, Mike Pence has remained a genuine option for the 2024 nomination. Pence has overwhelming support among the Christian right and social conservatives, and his support extends to some pro-Trump populists, since he was literally second in command to Trump.
However, his support collapsed during the Capitol Riots among the large cohort of Trump cultists who dominate the Republican Party, and it hasn't really grown back since.
Marco Rubio

Marco Antonio Rubio is an American politician and attorney who served as a United States senator from Florida from 2011 to 2025. He was a candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and served on several Senate committees, including Foreign Relations and Intelligence... read more

He has publicly declared that he wouldn't run against Trump. However, he does have the support of many key groups, including his battleground home state, and may consider running for the job once again.
Nikki Haley

She has publicly touted running for President in 2024 and has been quite visible in the media lately, attacking Joe Biden. The question is, how much support among Republicans would she really get?
Kristi Noem

Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem, born on November 30, 1971, is an American politician. She was the eighth United States Secretary of Homeland Security from January 2025 to 2026.
She also faced scrutiny for revealing in a book that she shot her dog because it behaved in a way that she didn't approve of... read more

She is a strong, effective, and very experienced and capable woman for certain.
Donald Trump Jr.

Donald John Trump Jr. (born December 31, 1977), sometimes referred to as Don Jr., is an American businessman and political activist. He is best known as the eldest child of Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States, and Ivana Trump, Donald Trump's first wife. Outside of his father's... read more

Trump lovers adore him, and if you haven't noticed, he's got an enormous following on social media. He is a very popular figure in the Republican Party, but will probably leave the job up to his dad for now.
Tim Scott

Timothy Eugene "Tim" Scott is a United States senator from South Carolina. He was appointed to the Senate in 2013 and later won election to a full term. He has remained active in national politics and campaigned for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination before suspending his campaign in November... read more

Like Rubio, he says he wouldn't run against Trump. Though he is a young and fresh face in the Republican Party, willing to work with the other side, and may gain the votes they need to win.
He is the person that the Republicans should be looking to, but unless he has a miraculous rise like DeSantis did, he won't win the nomination.
Rand Paul

Randal Howard "Rand" Paul is an American physician and politician. Born on January 7, 1963, he has served as the United States Senator from Kentucky since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, Paul is known for his libertarian-leaning views and affiliation with the Tea Party movement.

The Newcomers

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Lil Wayne

Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. is an American rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana. He was discovered by Bryan "Birdman" Williams at a young age and signed to Cash Money Records, where he became one-quarter of the rap group Hot Boys. He later founded his own label, Young Money Entertainment, signing artists... read more
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Kevin Durant

Kevin Wayne Durant is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets in the NBA. He previously starred with the Seattle SuperSonics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and Phoenix Suns. He was named NBA Finals MVP in both 2017 and 2018 after championship... read more

The Contenders

Greg Abbott
Ben Shapiro

Benjamin Aaron Shapiro (born January 15, 1984) is an American conservative political commentator, media host, attorney, and author. He published his first book, Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth, in 2004 at the age of 20. Shapiro is the co-founder of The Daily Wire and hosts... read more

People like him are needed to whip the country back into shape. His ideas are fantastic, and when the party needs a leader, he could rise up.

Let's say, hypothetically, for the sake of the argument, Shapiro does run. He might win.

He's still pretty young, but definitely will be president at some point in the future.
Chris Christie

Christopher James "Chris" Christie is an American attorney and politician who served as the 55th governor of New Jersey from 2010 to 2018. A member of the Republican Party, he gained national recognition for his response to Hurricane Sandy and his 2016 presidential campaign. Christie has remained active... read more

Rumors have emerged that Christie is prepping for a 2024 run. More specifically, he is trying to emerge as the main anti-Trump candidate in the race. He might have trouble gaining much support in the party, though.
Jeb Bush

John Ellis "Jeb" Bush is an American politician and businessman who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007. He is a member of the Bush political family, the son of former President George H. W. Bush, and the brother of former President George W. Bush. Jeb Bush ran for the Republican... read more

His brother and father are perhaps the most underrated presidents, and I would like to see him try again.
Liz Cheney
John Kasich

John Richard Kasich Jr. is an American politician who served as the 69th governor of Ohio from 2011 to 2019. Before his tenure as governor, he represented Ohio's 12th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 2001. Kasich is also an author who previously worked as a television... read more
Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza "Condi" Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th United States secretary of state from 2005 to 2009 under President George W. Bush. Rice was the first African American woman to hold that position and previously served as national security advisor from 2001... read more

She would be an awesome choice, but she has said she does not want to get involved with politics again.
Mia Love
Olympia Snowe
Joe Rogan

Joseph James "Joe" Rogan, born on August 11, 1967, is an American podcaster, comedian, and UFC commentator. He is the host of The Joe Rogan Experience, a podcast where he talks with a wide range of guests about topics such as current events, politics, science, comedy, and philosophy. Rogan is known for... read more
Alex Jones

Alexander Emric Jones is an American radio show host and conspiracy theorist. He hosts The Alex Jones Show from Austin, Texas, which airs online and through independent syndication following the 2024 closure of the Genesis Communications Network. Jones is also the founder of the website InfoWars, which... read more
Phil Robertson
Ben Carson

Benjamin Solomon "Ben" Carson, Sr. is a retired American neurosurgeon and former candidate for President of the United States. He gained fame for his pioneering work in pediatric neurosurgery, including the first successful separation of conjoined twins joined at the back of the head. Carson later served... read more

An outstanding man who would be an tremendous asset.

Super smart and capable man.
Michael Steele
Carly Fiorina

Cara Carleton "Carly" Fiorina is an American business executive and political candidate best known for serving as CEO of Hewlett-Packard from 1999 to 2005. During her leadership, she oversaw HP's merger with Compaq. Fiorina also ran for the U.S. Senate in 2010 and for the Republican presidential nomination... read more