This years election debuts two radical leaders fighting for president of the American government. The presidential ticket for the Democratic Party is current Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris. In partnership with current Minnesota Governor and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz. The Republican candidates are former President and presidential candidate Donald Trump and Senator and vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance.
Current President Joe Biden decided to drop out of the race July 21 and endorsed Vice President Harris’s 2024 campaign.
Vice President Harris made history by being the first South Asian and Black American woman to ever be Vice President. Before becoming vice president, Harris filled the roles of senator and attorney general for the state of California. Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, was previously in the US House of Representatives. Governor Walz was also a high school geography teacher, a football coach and served in the National Guard.
Before becoming President, Trump was born into his fathers real estate company called Trump management. After years of hard work, Trump was titled president of the company. From then on he used his talents in the business world. As for Trump’s running mate Vance, a previous Marine, an author and a venture capitalist has taken responsibility to work alongside Trump’s campaign.
If elected, some of Harris’s goals as president are cutting taxes for middle-class families, investing in affordable childcare, tackling climate change, growing small businesses, making rent more affordable, restoring reproductive freedoms, protecting civil rights and combating gun violence in communities. Senior Jenny Jones said, “This election means we can either gain our reproductive rights or lose them.”
During Trump’s 2016-2020 Presidency, his accomplishments involved achieving energy independence, securing the nation’s borders, achieving a major breakthrough for peace in the Middle East, protecting Medicare and Social Security, and investing $2 trillion to completely rebuild the military. With Trump’s previous administration plan during the pandemic he also established the most effective testing system.
If re-elected, Trump has decided to enforce Agenda47, which includes ending Veteran homelessness, rebuilding the military, ending drug addiction, outlawing birth tourism, preventing World War III and making America’s energy independent again. Senior Trinity DePyper said, “To me the election makes me hopeful that we can be provided a better future.”
After many candidates from various parties have dropped out of the race, three remain in the running. Jill Stein is the nominee from the Green Party. Stein is an environmental activist and a former practicing physician. Her campaign goals are to help with housing, healthcare, social justice, immigration and system policies. Senior Emma Groh said, “I want a future where I can live an affordable life.”
Chase Oliver is another candidate running for president. He is a political activist from the Libertarian Party. Oliver’s goals if elected are to help with things such as gun rights, green energy, term limits, education, healthcare and immigration.
Cornel West is the last candidate who is running unaffiliated. West is a former Harvard and Princeton professor and author. West is also known as the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary. If elected, he hopes to further justice for educational, environmental, maternal and voter justice.
With the world constantly changing there are problems and issues people are facing. Citizens want a strong leader who is willing to listen and give them solutions. The election is an opportunity to pick the most equipped to be the president of the U.S. 2024 is a presidential election year. Election Day will be held on Nov. 5. Inauguration Day will be on Jan. 20, 2025.
