Biden keeps challengers at bay: How president secured support from rising Democratic stars
Julia Johnson
President Joe Biden has warded off primary challenges from popular Democratic politicians in 2024 despite looming concerns over his age.
Despite various calls for prominent Democratic governors to force the 80-year-old Biden into a competitive contest, some of the party's brightest stars have appeared to fall in line behind Biden, and several are even raising money on his behalf.
Govs. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), J.B. Pritzker (D-IL), Tim Walz (D-MN), Josh Shapiro (D-PA), and Tony Evers (D-WI) have rejected calls to run against Biden, and instead, several of them have emerged to become some of the president's most effective surrogates in his reelection campaign (particularly Newsom). A 2024 run from the California governor has been the subject of speculation, prompting a barrage of articles previewing a possible campaign.
However, the Biden campaign considers Newsom to be an important component of its surrogate effort. The California Democrat has denied that he is running for president in 2024 and is currently using his PAC, Campaign for Democracy, to raise money for Biden's reelection campaign. He will even take on presidential candidate Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) in a November debate, where he plans to defend Biden's record and vision for the country.
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https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/biden-challengers-president-secured-support-rising-democratic-stars
