Who could replace Biden as Democratic nominee?

US President Joe Biden’s feeble debate performance last week sent shockwaves across the Democratic party, raising questions about who could replace him on the presidential ticket should he decide to step down.
The move – though unlikely – would create a logistical nightmare, and could set up an ugly inter-party fight among Democrats just months before voters cast their ballots.
But with Democrats expressing panic and confusion over the future of Mr Biden’s candidacy, it has led to discussions about whether the president, 81, is the right candidate to face former President Donald Trump in November.
Many Democrats noted the importance of defeating Trump when arguing for or against Mr Biden’s claim to the party’s nomination.
There are a handful of ways the president could be replaced on the ticket, but chances are slim that Mr Biden would vacate his candidacy with just over four months until the election.
But, if he does, here are some the people who might replace him.

Vice President Kamala Harris

Vice-President Kamala Harris, who is already on the ticket, is an obvious choice to replace Mr Biden.
As vice-president, she has become the face of the administration’s campaign to protect reproductive rights after the Supreme Court’s overturned Roe v Wade.
Ms Harris has proved to be a loyal ally to the president and fiercely defended his debate performance. After the event, she admitted the president had a “slow start” but argued he went on to provide more substantive answers than Trump.
“People can debate on style points, but ultimately this election and who is the president of the United States has to be about substance,” Harris told CNN Thursday night.
Ms Harris has the strong name recognition that comes from the job of vice president, but she has struggled with low approval ratings throughout her tenure.
Forty-nine percent of Americans disapprove of Ms Harris, while 39% approve, according to polling averages tracked by FiveThirtyEight.
Ms will also have a prime-time moment that could vault her ahead of the pack of potential presidential contenders when she faces off against Trump’s pick for vice-president. The BBC’s US media partner CBS is scheduled to host a vice presidential debate before the Democratic National Convention in August.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Gretchen Whitmer, the two term governor of Michigan, is an increasingly popular mid-west Democrat who many pundits speculate will run for president in 2028.

She has campaigned for Mr Biden in the past and has not been shy about her political aspirations.

She told the New York Times she wants to see a Generation X president in 2028, but stopped short of suggesting that she might fill that role.

In 2022, she led a campaign that left Michigan Democrats in control of the state’s legislature and the governor’s mansion.

That political control allowed her to enact a number of progressive policies including protecting Michigan abortion access and the passage of gun safety measures.

California Governor Gavin Newsom

California Governor Gavin Newsom is one of the Biden Administration’s fiercest surrogates. He frequently appears on cable news networks praising Mr Biden.
But Mr Newsom has political ambitions of his own.
He is often listed as a possible 2028 candidate, but many Democratic pundits have said he would be an appealing stand-in for Mr Biden.
Mr Newsom raised his national profile in recent years by being a key party messenger on conservative media, and via a debate against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis last year.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

It is no secret that Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has presidential aspirations.

He ran for president in 2020 and is often touted as one of the Biden Administration’s best communicators.

Mr Buttigieg has managed a number of public crises during his time as Transportation Secretary.

He helped to oversee the government response to the East Palestine train derailment, the Baltimore Bridge collapse and Southwest Airlines’ scheduling crisis in 2022.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has seen high approval ratings since he was elected in 2022 in a swing state Mr Trump narrowly carried in 2016.
The governor, who previously served as the state’s attorney general, has worked across party lines during his tenure.
He made national headlines last year after quickly rebuilding a collapsed bridge on a crucial Philadelphia highway – a major political victory for a first-term governor.
The quick repair was hailed by many as the perfect infrastructure talking point for a potential 2028 presidential candidate.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker

JB Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, has raised his profile in recent years by going after Trump and defending Mr Biden.
The billionaire businessman – heir to the Hyatt hotel chain – is quick to post criticism oft Trump on social media.
After the debate he called Trump a “liar” and said he is a “34-count convicted felon who cares only about himself”.
Like Ms Whitmer, Mr Pritzker has a track record of completing agenda items on progressive Democrats to-do lists on issues like abortion rights and gun control.

Other possible candidates?
The list of potential nominees stretches beyond these Democrats, as the party has developed a deep bench of possible future presidential candidates.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a two-term Democratic governor in a very conservative state, has earned growing national attention since his re-election last year.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has found himself in the spotlight in recent months following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Senators Amy Klobuchar and Cory Booker are often mentioned, as they have run for president in the past and have some name recognition among Democrats.
Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, who won a closely contested senate race in a swing-state, has also been mentioned as a potential replacement for Mr Biden.