Factbox: Who Are the Candidates Running in the US Presidential Election?

By Susan Heavey, Costas Pitas

Former Republican President Donald Trump will challenge Vice President Kamala Harris in the U.S. presidential election set for November 5, following Democratic President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race.

Several third-party candidates are also in contention. Below is a summary of the key candidates.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY

KAMALA HARRIS

Kamala Harris, 59, secured the Democratic Party’s nomination after Biden stepped aside, providing the party with an opportunity to present a renewed vision of America that contrasts with Trump’s agenda. The Democrats aim to reconnect with their base of young voters, people of color, and suburban women.

Harris previously served as a U.S. senator, California attorney general, and local prosecutor, making history as the first woman and person of color to serve as vice president after being selected by Biden in 2020. If elected, she would also become the first female president in U.S. history.

Recent polls indicate a tight race between Harris and Trump, with her leading the former president nationally by 47% to 40% according to a poll conducted in early September. Further surveys suggest that she and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have gained traction in key battleground states, including Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, North Carolina, Michigan, and Nevada.

Harris has emphasized reproductive rights and personal freedoms as central themes of her campaign, advocating for a national law to ensure access to safe abortion. Her economic strategy includes tax cuts for many Americans, measures to curb what she characterizes as "price gouging" by grocery stores, affordable housing initiatives, and a new child tax credit, alongside efforts to boost domestic manufacturing. She proposes raising the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28% and eliminating taxes on tips.

On immigration, she has pledged to implement stricter controls regarding fentanyl at the border. Her stances on climate and energy policies are largely aligned with Biden’s, who prioritized fighting climate change during his presidency.

While Harris has maintained a tech-friendly stance, she has also taken on issues related to anticompetitive practices and privacy. She has sought to reassure contributors of her commitment to capitalism.

In terms of foreign policy, Harris is expected to largely follow Biden’s approach on critical issues such as Ukraine, China, and Iran. She has pressed for a ceasefire in Gaza while taking a firm stance against Hamas, expressing a commitment to U.S. support for Israel.

Harris has garnered endorsements from significant labor organizations, including the Service Employees International Union, the United Auto Workers, and the American Federation of Teachers, as well as support from former military officials and numerous former Republican leaders.

REPUBLICAN PARTY

DONALD TRUMP

Donald Trump, 78, clinched the Republican nomination in July, marking his third consecutive attempt for the presidency following his loss in the 2020 election.

Despite facing multiple legal challenges, including a recent indictment related to attempts to overturn the election results, Trump continues to propagate the unfounded claim that the 2020 election was stolen. Throughout his campaign, he has portrayed his legal troubles as politically motivated attacks and has expressed intentions of seeking "retribution" against his adversaries.

Becoming the first former U.S. president to be convicted of a crime in May in New York, Trump has also been impeached twice while in office. He denies any allegations of wrongdoing.

For his running mate, Trump selected U.S. Senator JD Vance but has not committed to accepting the 2024 election results, laying the groundwork to contest a potential loss. He has also called for pardons for those imprisoned for their roles in the January 6 Capitol riot and threatened to take action against election officials, donors, and tech companies if he wins.

Trump has stated he would not run again if he loses. As the oldest nominee in U.S. presidential history, he would become the second oldest president if elected. He has faced two assassination attempts, one at a Pennsylvania rally and another near his Florida golf course.

Trump’s supporters have introduced the "Project 2025" policy agenda, which seeks to limit the independence of the Justice Department and involves plans to replace federal civil service workers with loyalists. Although he aims to distance himself from this initiative, his former aides and Vance are involved.

On foreign policy, Trump has indicated a desire to change the U.S. relationship with NATO and to resolve the Ukraine conflict through potential peace negotiations that may require territorial concessions by Kyiv. He has declared that Hamas must be "crushed" and has pledged to adopt a tougher stance on Iran, though specifics of his policy proposals remain vague.

Immigration is a cornerstone of Trump’s platform, with promises of mass deportations, the termination of birthright citizenship, and the expansion of a travel ban against certain nationalities. He takes credit for the Supreme Court’s decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, asserting that such decisions should be made at the state level, while clarifying his stance against banning birth control.

On economic matters, Trump proposes imposing significant tariffs on imports, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, lowering corporate tax rates, and allowing foreign companies to operate on federal lands. He has also vowed to reverse many of Biden’s climate change policies.

Trump has faced backlash, including from within his own party, for personal attacks against Harris, specifically targeting her race and gender.

He has appointed former Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to his transition team and expressed plans to consult billionaire Elon Musk to improve government efficiency. His campaign has also received endorsements from several police organizations, including the National Fraternal Order of Police.

THIRD PARTIES & INDEPENDENTS

LIBERTARIAN PARTY

CHASE OLIVER

Chase Oliver, 39, emerged as the Libertarian Party’s nominee after the party initially extended an invitation to Trump for its convention. Oliver previously ran for a seat in the Georgia state Senate in 2022, securing 2% of the vote in that election.

GREEN PARTY

JILL STEIN

Jill Stein, 74, returns to the race under the Green Party banner after previously running in 2016. Her current campaign is framed around claims that Democrats have repeatedly failed to deliver on promises to support working people, youth, and climate issues, while Republicans do not make such promises at all.

INDEPENDENT

CORNEL WEST

Cornel West, 71, a political activist, philosopher, and academic, is campaigning to draw progressive, Democratic-leaning voters. Initially running as a Green Party candidate, he declared his independent status in October, emphasizing a commitment to ending poverty and ensuring access to housing.