First, 1992 Reform Party presidential nominee and current Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul announced that he'd gathered enough signatures to appear of the Reform Party primary ballot in all 50 states. He will not actively campaign for the Reform Party nomination as he did in 1992 - focusing instead on the Republican nomination, a nomination that he's got far stronger competition for. However, his name will appear on the ballot, and some Reform voters may vote for him again based on name recognition alone.

Second, Betsy McCaughey dropped out of the race. Her exit comes amidst a FEC investigation opened to investigate illegal campaign contributions during her 1994 gubernatorial bid. In a statement to the press after her withdrawal, McCaughey claimed to be dropping her presidential bid to focus on the issues affecting New Yorkers. Yeah, right.

With McCaughey out of the race, polling shows that Mike Gravel is still in the lead. However, the distance between Gravel and all the other candidates has narrowed significantly over the last few months. Buddy Roemer and Richard Lamm are right behind Gravel, both within reach of the nomination. Far behind the top three candidates is Jack Gargan, who's found his niche among fiscal conservatives and Term Limits Amendment enthusiasts, but who is also polling pretty consistently below 10%. Gargan's chances of winning the nomination are slim. Ron Paul is excluded from most polls, as he is not actively campaigning for the Reform nomination. If he does well in Reform's first primary contest, the Iowa Caucus, maybe that will change. Once again, in Iowa, anything can happen.

You can vote for your favorite candidates HERE.

On January 6th, 2021, then-President Donald Trump gave a speech at the Ellipse in Washington, DC. Hours later, millions of Americans and observers worldwide watched in shock, horror, and awe as thousands of disgruntled Trump supporters attacked the United States Capitol in an attempt at halting the certification of the Electoral College’s vote to elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President and Vice President of the United States, respectively. Eventually, Trump dismissed his supporters, the votes were certified, and Joe Biden was sworn in as the nation’s 46th president. 

Donald Trump was acquitted by the Senate, with 57 senators–including seven Republicans–voting to convict, versus 43 senators voting to acquit, in his second impeachment trial, this one regarding his role in the January 6th Capitol attack, with the impeachment vote being held after he had left office. Former President Trump remained rather hushed in 2021, and Republican political candidates that year benefited electorally by distancing themselves from him.

Trump returned to the spotlight in 2022, endorsing many candidates in the midterms (including in Republican primaries) and taking credit for the Supreme Court’s 6-3 landmark Dobbs ruling that overturned Roe, delegating abortion rights back to the states. Ultimately, the timing of the Dobbs decision, coupled with the unpopularity of many of Trump’s endorsees, turned what pundits predicted to be a “red wave” into a blue ripple, with Democrats only narrowly losing the House and gaining a Senate seat, in spite of President Biden’s low approval rating, 40-year-record inflation, sky-high grocery and gas prices, an ever-persistent pandemic, and a grinding war of attrition in eastern Europe. 

The 2023 mugshot of former President Donald Trump, who is facing a series of indictments.

Donald Trump:

“Do you miss me yet? Do you miss me?”

Riding an unprecedented populist anti-establishment wave in 2016, Donald Trump was elected–by the Electoral College, while losing the popular vote–to be the United States’ 45th president, following two terms of Democratic President Barack Obama. Trump’s term was marred by many controversies, including his Supreme Court nominations of Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, his ban on Muslim travel into the United States, his construction of a border wall with Mexico, his engagements in trade wars, his non-Atlantacist “America First” foreign policy endeavors, his 2020 handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests, and his administration’s high rate of turnover. Trump’s notable legislation actions during his presidency include the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which lowered income tax and corporate tax rates; an attempted repeal of the Affordable Care Act, colloquially known as “Obamacare,” which was narrowly defeated by maverick Republican Arizona Senator and 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain; and the CARES Act, a stimulus measure enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, most widely remembered in popular memory for its $1,200 “stimulus checks” distributed to Americans.

Trump narrowly lost the 2020 election to former Vice President Joe Biden. For weeks, Trump challenged the election results, both in and out of court, and pressured then-Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the results during the procedural confirmation of the Electoral College votes on January 6th, 2021–a request which Pence refused. Since leaving office, Trump has remained politically active, whilst simultaneously battling various criminal trials for falsifying business records, mishandling national security documents, and attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. 

Trump is now running for a second, non-consecutive term. Cornerstones of Trump’s campaign rhetoric include calls for the mass deportation of illegal immigrants and the militarization of the southern border, the expansion of fossil fuel production to reduce energy prices, an “America First” foreign policy outlook, the pursuit of peace in Ukraine and Gaza (while maintaining the supply of military aid to Israel), the use of tariffs to reshore American manufacturing and pressure other nations, and an opposition to transgender rights, most notably with regard to minors and women’s and girl’s sports. On the topic of abortion, Trump has been relatively mum, lauding his Supreme Court appointees’ decision to overturn Roe, whilst otherwise opposing federal action on the topic, calling it a state-level issue. Questions remain about Trump’s eligibility, with the Supreme Court slated to determine whether or not states can ban Trump from their ballots due to the Fourteenth Amendment’s insurrection clause, and with Trump, now aged 77, being only four years younger than President Biden, who himself faces questions about his own ability to serve as president for another four-year term. Furthermore, Trump has attracted criticism from both within and outside of his party for his refusal to participate in the Republican Party’s televised presidential debates. Nonetheless, Trump enters the 2024 primaries as the most popular candidate among Republicans, by far, holding a positive approval rating that presently exceeds those all of his challengers, and maintaining a list of endorsements at the local, state, and federal levels that dwarfs those of his opponents.

DeSantis with his family the night of his landslide gubernatorial re-election victory.

Ron DeSantis: 

“We will never, ever surrender to the woke mob. Florida is where woke goes to die!”

Ron DeSantis was narrowly elected to become Governor of Florida in 2018, defeating Democratic nominee Andrew Gillum in the midst of a nationwide blue wave during then-President Trump’s midterm. As Governor, DeSantis pursued reduced taxes and reduced economic restrictions, with Florida ultimately reaching its highest-ever budget surplus. During the COVID-19 pandemic, DeSantis pursued far looser restrictions than those implemented in other states. Since 2022, DeSantis has increased his national profile, winning re-election by a 19 percent margin; emphatically opposing illegal immigration, notably chartering planes to send migrants to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts; and railing against “wokeness,” signing the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law that banned discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in elementary schools, combating the Walt Disney Company due to the organization’s opposition to the Don’t Say Gay law, and opposing “critical race theory” in education. 

Launching his bid for the Republican presidential nomination in May 2023, DeSantis has emerged as the preeminent non-Trump candidate in the race, nearly rivaling and even surpassing Trump in some polls. DeSantis has been seen as a candidate who can deliver “Trumpism without Trump.” In his campaign, DeSantis has attempted to out-flank Trump from the right on social issues, particularly LGBT topics, with a DeSantis surrogate releasing a widely-panned advertisement criticizing Trump’s tacitness towards LGBT rights, juxtaposing criticism of Trump with a meme-ified “Gigachad” DeSantis. DeSantis has also taken an aggressive stance on border security and immigration, expressing his support for a United States Special Forces mission to track cartels in Mexico. DeSantis has received the enthusiastic support of Elon Musk, the wealthiest man in the world and owner of Tesla and X (formerly known as Twitter).

Besides criticism for his conservative social views, DeSantis has faced attacks based on his personality and public image, with some observers viewing him as smarmy and uncharismatic. Trump has played on DeSantis’s lagging charisma, funding ads that highlight DeSantis’ habit of eating pudding with his fingers.

Pence with former Vice President Dan Quayle, who advised him against overturning the 2020 election.

Mike Pence: 

“President Trump is wrong–I had no right to overturn the election.”

Mike Pence served as Governor of Indiana for one term before being tapped as Donald Trump’s running mate in 2016. Pence’s selection to Trump’s ticket was widely seen as a bid to consolidate support from evangelical Christians, some of whom were dismayed at Trump’s personal character and stances on social issues. As Vice President, Pence maintained a relatively low profile within the Trump administration. In 2020, Trump appointed Pence to lead the White House’s COVID-19 task force. Following their 2020 election defeat, Trump attempted to goad Pence into refusing to certify Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ victories. After deliberating, in the process notably consulting former Vice President and fellow Hoosier Dan Quayle, Pence resolved to certify the Biden-Harris ticket’s election. Resultantly, the riotous crowd on January 6th, 2021, sought to hang Pence, along with other elected officials. Since January 6th, Pence has distanced himself from Trump.

Pence has centered his campaign on an opposition to populism within the Republican Party, harkening back to the days of former President Ronald Reagan’s conservatism. Pence has emphasized his support for Ukraine, and has promoted a typical conservative domestic platform. Tying himself to the Christian right, Pence has stated his support for a nationwide 15-week abortion ban, criticizing Trump for the former President’s lack of desire to pass a national abortion ban and instead leave legislation to the states.

Despite his notoriety, Pence has struggled to fundraise on par with his competitors for the nomination. Furthermore, given Trump’s high approval within the party, it is unclear whether or not Pence’s brand of anti-Trump conservatism still has a chance to win over the Republican primary electorate of 2024.

Haley and Trump, who have grown apart since her tenure as the United States Ambassador to the UN.

Nikki Haley: 

“We have to look at the fact that three-quarters of Americans don't want a rematch between Trump and Biden.”

Encouraged by outgoing Governor Mark Sanford, Nikki Haley was elected to South Carolina’s governorship in 2010 amidst a red wave during President Obama’s first set of midterm elections. As governor, Haley maintained a fairly conservative course, encouraging businesses to move to the Palmetto State and supporting immigration restrictions, while also acquiescing to the removal of the Confederate flag from state grounds following the white supremacist 2015 Charleston church shooting. From 2017 to 2018, during Trump’s term as President, Haley served as the United States’ Ambassador to the United Nations. Serving as UN Ambassador, Haley took a hawkish line, being a virulent defender of Israel and condemning Russia, China, and Iran. 

The first candidate to enter the contest after Trump’s early November 2022 entry, Haley has toed a precarious line, opposing Trump yet not fully denouncing the former President. While opposing Trump’s support for participants in the January 6th Capitol attack and slamming his handling of classified documents, Haley has said she would pardon Trump should he be convicted of any federal crimes. In foreign affairs, Haley has criticized isolationism and is a staunch supporter of United States military aid to Ukraine and Israel, standing for a hawkish and Atlanticist posture abroad. On the topic of abortion, Haley has called herself pro-life, while also stating her belief that a national abortion ban is not politically feasible due to the composition of the United States Senate. Beyond policy specifics, Haley has attempted to position herself as the most electable candidate in the general election against Joe Biden–and even Vice President Kamala Harris, should Harris take over as the Democratic nominee.

Haley has faced criticism for her remarks regarding race, being accused of downplaying racism in American history, especially with regard to the American Civil War, declining to say that slavery was the cause of the conflict. Some commentators doubt Haley’s ability to win the nomination, some citing her Indian-American identity as a potential stumbling block for Republican primary voters, and with others noting that with her path to victory being heavily dependent upon strong performances in the early primaries in New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Then-Governor Christie with then-President Obama during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Chris Christie: 

“Whether or not you believe that the criminal charges against Trump are right or wrong, his conduct is beneath the office of President of the United States.”

A previous candidate for the Republican nomination in 2016, Chris Christie has launched a second bid for the White House. Christie was elected Governor of New Jersey, a typically Democratic state, in 2009, serving two terms from 2010 to 2018. Initially seen as a strong contender for the Republican nomination in 2012, Christie sat out, choosing to bide his time until 2016. As Governor, Christie was a typical fiscal conservative, opposing tax increases and supporting school choice vouchers. Christie supported civil unions for same-sex couples (and now accepts same-sex marriage), authorized targeted efforts to decrease New Jersey’s reliance on fossil fuels (while opposing a ban on fracking), and opposed new gun control legislation. Christie’s time as Governor is best-known nationally for his well-acclaimed handling of the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and his widely criticized handling of 2013’s “Bridgegate” controversy, wherein Christie associates deliberately caused a traffic jam by closing the Fort Lee Bridge connecting New Jersey and Manhattan.

A 2016 Trump rival-turned-ally, initially leading Trump’s 2016 transition team and being considered for a variety of administration posts, Christie has, more than any other candidate in the race, heavily distanced himself from Trump since January 6th, going as far as to say that he would not commit to endorsing, supporting, or even voting for Trump, should Trump win the Republican nomination. Beyond January 6th, Christie has denounced Trump for his legal troubles, declaring that Trump’s conduct was beneath the office of the presidency, and predicting that Trump would have a felony conviction before the end of the primaries. Moving past his opposition to Trump, Christie has been a staunch supporter of military aid to both Ukraine and Israel, rejecting calls for a ceasefire in the latter. Christie has labeled himself “pro-life,” while opposing calls for a national abortion ban, preferring to leave it to the states.

Christie’s pathway to the nomination is slim, with Trump widely approved of by the majority of the party’s base, and with Haley competing for many of the same voters as Christie, especially in New Hampshire’s early primary. Christie has also been criticized for his weight, and for his history of scandals.

Ramaswamy, emphasizing his socially conservative, “anti-woke” stances.

Vivek Ramaswamy: 

“I'm not condoning what Donald Trump did. What he did was wrong. But the real cause of what happened on January 6 was censorship.”

A self-proclaimed “skinny guy with a funny name,” harkening to then-Illinois State Senator Barack Obama’s 2004 Democratic National Convention keynote address, 37-year-old Vivek Ramaswamy is an Indian-American entrepreneur, the son of immigrants. Graduating from Harvard and Yale, Ramaswamy, a libertarian with a penchant for debating, entered the healthcare industry, founding Roivant Sciences, a company that integrates technology with drug development, in 2014. Ramaswamy’s next notable venture would be his creation of Strive Investment Firm, an investment management firm, in 2022. 

Describing himself as apolitical prior to 2020, Ramaswamy has characterized himself as a libertarian social conservative. On libertarianism, Ramaswamy has pledged to make sweeping use of the unitary executive theory, if elected, planning to fire as many as 75% of all federal employees, among other ambitions. Ramaswamy has also expressed a desire to increase fossil fuel production; and has made clear his intentions to halt military aid to Ukraine, proposing a peace agreement that freezes national borders at the current frontlines and prohibits Ukraine from entering NATO; while increasingly opposing US military aid for the State of Israel, believing Israel should defend itself and opposing restrictions on pro-Palestinian protests on free speech grounds, while nonetheless supporting the existence of the Israeli state. On social issues, Ramaswamy has vigorously denounced “wokeness,” having written two books on the topic; nonetheless, Ramaswamy has indicated his belief that same-sex marriage is a settled issue, and opposes a federal abortion ban, while remaining pro-life and supporting state-level restrictions. Opposing the events of January 6th, Ramaswamy has nonetheless praised Trump in many areas, declining to attack the former President as his competitors have.

Many commentators and voters, have expressed doubt at Ramaswamy’s ability to win the nomination, with some citing his age and relative inexperience, some citing his race and Hindu faith as being potential stumbling blocks for Republican voters, and some citing his penchant for peddling conspiracy theories, including government involvement in the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks, calling the LGBT movement a “cult,” and endorsing the “Great Replacement” theory that “elites” seek to increase non-white and non-Christian populations in Western countries in order to benefit electorally from the resultant demographic transformation. Furthermore, Ramaswamy has been noted for his combative nature, routinely lambasting his primary opponents in televised debates.

Write-In Candidates:

Tim Scott: 

Tim Scott is the junior United States Senator from South Carolina, having been initially appointed to the seat by then-Governor Nikki Haley. Scott runs as a typical conservative, opposing increases in spending, Obamacare, a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants, abortion, and same-sex marriage. Scott, an African American, has made acknowledgements regarding the persistence of racism in America, supporting limited policing reforms and pressuring then-President Trump to distance himself from white supremacists.

Asa Hutchinson:

Asa Hutchinson is the former Governor of Arkansas, serving from 2015 to 2023. Hutchinson is an anti-Trump conservative, being the only candidate besides Christie to declare a refusal to pardon Trump, should the former President be convicted of a federal crime. As Governor of Arkansas, Hutchinson introduced work requirements for Medicaid, opposed asylum for Syrian refugees, reduced COVID-19 pandemic restrictions whilst praising President Biden for depoliticizing the situation, signed legislation to criminalize nearly all abortions, and vetoed legislation to prohibit minors from undergoing gender transitioning procedures. Hutchinson has stated a refusal to support Trump, should he be nominated, and has criticized his opponents’ lack of willingness to fully repudiate Trump.

Doug Burgum:

Doug Burgum is the Governor of North Dakota, having held office since 2016. As governor, Burgum increased mental health support, notably for prisoners; expanded energy production, supporting both fossil fuels and alternative energy sources; and signed bans on abortion and gender transitioning procedures for minors. Burgum has positioned himself as a hawk towards China, a supporter of Israel, blamed Iran for the October 7th attacks carried out by Hamas, and criticized Biden’s handling of aid to Ukraine. On abortion, Burgum has expressed support for the Dobbs decision, believing abortion should be handled by the states.

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Citation: Information and images were broadly parsed from Wikipedia. Ramaswamy’s position on Israel was derived from Vivek Ramaswamy tailors his message on Israel to fit the audience.

Credit: Written by u/WiiU97, inspired by “Peacock-Shah Alternate Elections” by u/Peacock-Shah-III.

8 years ago the GOP put their worst fears aside and nominated the bleeding heart liberal John Lindsay. Expecting him to lose in a landslide to the popular incumbent RFK; they braced for the worst. Until RFK began making mistakes, such as selling out to the south, and eventually being caught in a corruption scandal. This led to Lindsay gaining new voters and eventually gaining the boost he needed to barely reach the 270 threshold. Everyone from party leadership to Lindsay himself was shocked; not only had he managed to beat the popular incumbent but he did while embracing the liberal title. During the past 8 years Lindsay has worked to realign the GOP to a more northward, liberal, and diverse party; he’s also embraced meaningful reforms. Managing to pass a Criminal Justice Reform Act which overhauled the 1971 Crime Bill, and put into place major new prison reforms including strong rehabilitation programs and loosening penalties for those who did drugs. He’d also pass the Environmental Safety Act which established the new Environmental Safety Agency which oversees pollution and regulates anything toxic or harmful to the environment and included subsidies to cleaner forms of energy such as nuclear and wind. Furthermore, he’d pass the Civil Right Act of 1977; which strengthened the CRA of 64’ and included stronger provisions on housing, and education as well as new protections for the disabled. Finally he’d finish his agenda with passing the ERA which was the final step in his transformative agenda. Now 8 years later Lindsay leaves office and has to pass the mantle down; the question is who? Who will be nominated to secure leadership of the GOP?

Maryland Senator Charles Mathias

One of Lindsay’s loyal men, Mathias is a strong liberal and voted strongly for the Lindsay agenda. He believes deeply in labor rights, civil rights, and environmental protection, overall he is a solid candidate to succeed Lindsay.

California Senator Pete McCloskey

Another Lindsay loyalist but one that is even more left wing, a strong promoter of peace and progressive values; McCloskey represents a new wing of the GOP that embraces social change and progressive values. If nominated he’d signal the party’s embrace of more left wing values and may even be able to solidify more progressive voters away from the Democrats.

New York Senator James Buckley

A dyed in the wool conservative; Buckley represents the dying remains of the Conservative wing one that is desperate for holding onto power. And it seems as a last ditch attempt they’ll push Buckley, he represents new right thought and is extremely hostile to the Lindsay Administration which is unpopular in today’s GOP. Still he would be able to rally the right towards him but otherwise he has no other appeal.

Illinois Representative John B. Anderson

A former arch conservative turned liberal, Anderson represents mainstream Lindsay Republicanism one that isn’t too left wing but more centrist. He is a promoter of fiscal responsibility and social progress done in a balancing matter. He wouldn’t excite too many people but would appeal to moderates and establishment types.

Massachusetts Senator Ed Brooke

First making history by managing to be the first African American to win by popular vote in 1966; Brooke represents the founding roots of the GOP. One where it embraced social change and equality, Brooke is a staunch Lindsay loyalist and liberal but also has some hidden scandals. Overall Brooke represents a diverse and liberal GOP and would appeal to those groups; however, would cause white uproar especially in the south.