Trump, Haley could get a dozen Republican rivals

Almost exactly three months after former President Donald Trump said he would seek the White House again, his former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley announced she would challenge him for the nomination. 

Haley will step out on the campaign trail officially Wednesday morning with an address from downtown Charleston, before heading to New Hampshire to speak to potential Republican primary voters Thursday and Friday. 

And then on Thursday, South Carolina GOP Sen. Tim Scott will hold his own event in Charleston, before heading to Iowa, the state that will hold the first Republican caucus in early 2024. 

Additionally, dark horse hopeful Steve Laffey – the former Cranston, Rhode Island mayor and a businessman – has announced his intentions to run.   

DailyMail.com looks at the strengths and challenges of 12 Republicans who are likeliest to challenge Trump and what are their chances – realistically – to win the ticket and the White House.

Nikki Haley: Former South Carolina Governor and U.N. ambassador who was one of first to criticize Trump after January 6

Before becoming the Trump administration’s United Nations ambassador, Nikki Haley was seen as a rising GOP star in her own right. 

Haley, whose parents are originally from India, was the first female Asian-American governor and the first woman elected to the South Carolina governor’s mansion. 

She was among the first Republican officials and former Trump officials to criticize him in the wake of the US Capitol riot, though much of that has since dissipated. 

Haley said in April 2021 during a press conference at South Carolina State University that she would support Trump if he ran in 2024 and would not run against him.

But on Tuesday, she reversed her position and officially entered the race, after months of dropping hints about her plans. 

STRENGTHS:

The former diplomat is the perfect foil in a possible three-way matchup with Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. 

When you look at her campaign video, the differences between her and Trump are not insignificant and that’s the point. He is 76. She is 51. She’s the daughter of immigrants, he comes from wealth and privilege.  

CHALLENGES:

Since 2016, Haley has either been working for or praising Donald Trump. Why the change now?

GOP campaign veterans are wondering if Haley may actually be angling for the No. 2 spot on the ticket, where she could help to broaden the appeal of Trump, DeSantis or another candidate. 

TRUMP-O-METER: Halley is the antithesis of Trump and that’s what she’s hoping potential voters will notice.

ODDS OF TOPPING THE GOP TICKET: Solid but in a serious uphill battle to unseat Trump or DeSantis.

Tim Scott: The black South Carolina Republican who has made himself into a key figure in Congress 

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott is the only black Republican in Congress’ upper chamber, and is known for reaching across the aisle on racially-charged issues such as police reform.

He said this term will be his last in the Senate and has made it apparent in recent days he’s testing the presidential waters. 

There’s no greater clue that a politician wants the White House than booking trips to early primary states. 

After Haley said she would be making an announcement in Charleston on February 15, Scott said he was launching a listening tour focused on ‘Faith in America’ and will appear in Charleston a day after Haley.  

On Monday, Politico reported that Scott will participate in a presidential forum alongside Haley in South Carolina next month as well.  

STRENGTHS:

Remarking on how his grandfather had voted for President Barack Obama in 2012, the senator said: ”I wish he had lived long enough to see perhaps another man of color elected president of the United States.’  

‘But this time let it be a Republican,’ he said, according to USA Today. 

He’s known on Capitol Hill as a strong negotiator and a forceful agenda of law-and-order in the 2020 and 2022 election cycles.

CHALLENGES:

Name recognition and feasibility. Political consultants told New York Magazine that Scott could be ‘engaging in a sort of starter presidential campaign in order to build contacts and positive name ID for a future run … a respectable start, a signature moment or two, and a graceful exit from the 2024 contest may be the real goal.’

TRUMP-O-METER: Scott is highly religious and considered reasonable by Republicans and Democrats

ODDS OF TOPPING THE GOP TICKET: Low but a possible contender for a Cabinet position.

Mike Pence: Former VP who has distanced himself from Trump and said there were ‘better choices’ for 2024 

Trump’s former vice president, Mike Pence, told ABC News on the eve of Trump’s announcement that there were ‘better choices’ for president and he was giving his own White House bid ‘prayer consideration.’ 

But he demurred when asked about his odds of beating Trump in a primary, emphasizing that it would be up to the voters.

Still, Pence has dropped numerous hints that he’s surveying the 2024 field. 

Pence blasted Trump for his conduct on January 6, calling the angry tweets he published while his supporters were storming the US Capitol ‘reckless.’

Asked whether he’d support Trump in 2024 during a speech at Georgetown University last month, Pence said: ‘There might be somebody else I’d prefer more.’

STRENGTHS:

Exceptional name recognition although for a variety of reasons. Latest AP polls show that GOP voters know who Pence is but not a fan because he stood up to Trump on January 6, 2021 and not only certified the Electoral College vote but called the insurrection ‘un-America’. 

However, like Scott, Pence is also religious and strong supporter of pro-life legislation and policies.

CHALLENGES:

The biggest challenges for the former Vice President are the legal ones including a subpoena issued by the Jan. 6 special counsel and Trump’s involvement in the Jan. 6 riot. 

Like President Biden, classified documents were found in his Indiania home.

TRUMP-O-METER: Pence is the yang to Trump’s ying, meaning he’s subdued and thoughtful.

ODDS OF TOPPING THE GOP TICKET: Low but could poach some evangelical votes from Scott 

Ron DeSantis: The Republicans’ rising star after his emphatic Florida win – who is already in a war of words with Trump

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis cruised to a commanding victory in the November midterms, beating the state’s former governor and Democratic Rep. Charlie Crist by about 20 points. 

Overall, his state of Florida saw Republicans over-perform compared to the rest of the country – and some pundits are crediting DeSantis’ influence.

DeSantis has embraced Trump’s ‘America First,’ combative style of politics that’s seen him, and his deputies create headlines for clashes with the Biden administration, LGBTQ activists and the press. 

STRENGTHS:

For starters. DeSantis is less disliked than Biden and Trump and more popular than both in key states including: Florida, Texas, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

The Florida governor also performs better against Biden than Trump among older voters — an important constituency in the GOP’s coalition. DeSantis also performs better against Trump among Biden’s 2020 voters and has a larger advantage than Trump among people who voted for a Republican candidate in the 2022 midterm elections — suggesting energy among core base voters who were willing to show up in an off-year election.

CHALLENGES:

For now, DeSantis is the leader of the pack, but we’ve seen this before and early leads often disappear in a blink of an eye.

We still don’t know his views on Ukraine and on highly controversial topic of Social Security and Medicare, programs that both Biden and Trump have insisted GOP protect, DeSantis has supported privatization which will hurt him with older voters.

TRUMP-O-METER: The Florida Governor is politically astute enough to thread the needle so as not to repel moderates and independents while still appealing to MAGA base. Unlike Trump, he doesn’t take the bait.

ODDS OF TOPPING THE GOP TICKET: Although DeSantis hasn’t officially put his hat into the ring, he’s currently the one to beat.  

Mike Pompeo: Trump Cabinet official and foreign policy heavyweight who has defended his old boss… until recently 

Another former Trump Cabinet official, ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, also appears to be putting the feelers out for his own presidential bid.

He’s long avoided weighing in on Trump personally and has defended his White House record whenever asked by the press, but tweets fired off by Pompeo after the midterms appear to be veiled criticisms of his old boss. 

‘Conservatives are elected when we deliver. Not when we just rail on social media. That’s how we can win. We fight for families and a strong America,’ Pompeo wrote on November 10, two days after a slew of Trump-endorsed midterm candidates lost key races.

STRENGTHS:

As former Secretary of State, Pompeo leverages his extensive foreign policy expertise especially as Ukraine, Russia, and China continues to be geo-political issues. In short: the more important national security is in the news cycle, the better his odds are.

The former congressman and CIA Director told audiences how he pines to be back in government, according to NBC.  “I miss every single minute of it,” he said last month. 

CHALLENGES:

Pompeo’s relationship with Trump is strong and those close to him say he’s leaning towards not running if Trump is in the race.  But that’s never stopped those with political aspirations before.

TRUMP-O-METER: Pompeo is one of the very few that never fell out of the good graces of Trump. He knows how to finesse the good, the bad, and the ugly – personalities, that is.   

ODDS OF TOPPING THE GOP TICKET: It all depends on national security concerns.

Liz Cheney: The Republican outcast from a political dynasty who could win voters from both sides of the aisle 

Former Republican Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney left Congress in January after being walloped by Republican challenger Harriet Hageman in her district’s August GOP primary. 

Now she has nothing to do but plot a political comeback.  

The conservative daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney has earned bipartisan accolades for her vocal criticism of Trump and efforts to hold him to account as vice chair of the January 6 select committee.

Cheney has not ruled out a 2024 bid when asked in multiple interviews, but she made one thing certain at the The Texas Tribune Festival last year – that if Trump is the party nominee, she would leave the Republican Party. 

And in that case, she could mount a third-party presidential bid and potentially play spoiler for her party. 

STRENGTHS: 

Cheney is often described as a neoconservative, who has focused on national security, and support for the U.S. military. Known for being fiscally and socially conservative. 

CHALLENGES: 

Distractors of Liz Cheney including Trump, have labeled her a “Rino” – Republican in name only – but until January 6, 2021, she was the 3rd ranking GOP House member. 

TRUMP-O-METER: Cheney has made it known that she will ensure Trump will never return to the White House as president and was vice chair of the Jan. 6 committee.

ODDS OF TOPPING THE GOP TICKET: Slim to none but that doesn’t mean she won’t cause some mischief.

Larry Hogan: Trump’s ‘RINO’ nemesis who has frequently criticized his leadership 

Maryland’s term-limited Republican Gov. Larry Hogan has been a frequent critic of Trump’s on the airwaves since the former president left office last year.

The criticism has grown sharper against the backdrop of suggestions that Hogan could run for president himself, after months of advocating for ‘commonsense conservative’ leadership.

He actively acted against Trump-backed Republican Dan Cox’s campaign for Maryland governor while posing for pictures with Wes Moore, the Democrat who has since been sworn-in.

Hogan blamed Trump for the party’s losses in 2018, 2020 and 2022 and said continuing to follow him as leader is ‘the definition of insanity’ in an interview with CNN in the run-up to the ex-president’s November announcement.

‘Donald Trump kept saying, we’re going to be winning so much, we will get tired of winning. I’m tired of losing. I mean, that’s all he’s done,’ he said.

STRENGTHS: 

Hogan is known for his direct style and willingness to cross the aisle — a double-edged sword in the battle for the Republican ticket for the 2024 White House.  

CHALLENGES:  

Remember the double-edged sword? Being a moderate and a ‘never-Trumper’ is a hard sell to voters who are more polarized than ever before. The former Maryland governor avoids commenting on social issues, was a strong proponent to stop the spread of COVID and known for telling residents to ‘wear the damn mask.’

TRUMP-O-METER:  Hogan is an ardent and active critic of Trump.

ODDS OF TOPPING THE GOP TICKET:  Very low but could help other candidates glean moderate and independent voters.

Glenn Youngkin: The Republican governor who burst onto the scene with his victory in Virginia – while distancing himself from Trump 

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin made a splash on the political scene in 2021 when he scored an upset victory against Virginia Democratic powerhouse Terry McAuliffe to win the Commonwealth’s governors mansion.

He’s carefully toed the line between both factions of the GOP, appearing with and promoting Donald Trump-backed election deniers like Kari Lake while largely avoiding the former president on his own campaign trail.

His successful political formula caught the eye of Republicans looking for a future past Trump.

After Youngkin refused to rule out a potential presidential bid in 2024, Trump launched a racially tinged attack against him on Truth Social.

‘Young Kin (now that’s an interesting take. Sounds Chinese, doesn’t it?) in Virginia couldn’t have won without me. I Endorsed him, did a very big Trump Rally for him telephonically, got MAGA to Vote for him – or he couldn’t have come close to winning. But he knows that, and admits it. Besides, having a hard time with the Dems in Virginia – But he’ll get it done!’ Trump wrote.

STRENGTHS: 

 

CHALLENGES:  

 

TRUMP-O-METER: 

ODDS OF TOPPING THE GOP TICKET: 

His successful political formula caught the eye of Republicans looking for a future past Trump.

After Youngkin refused to rule out a potential presidential bid in 2024, Trump launched a racially tinged attack against him on Truth Social.

‘Young Kin (now that’s an interesting take. Sounds Chinese, doesn’t it?) in Virginia couldn’t have won without me. I Endorsed him, did a very big Trump Rally for him telephonically, got MAGA to Vote for him – or he couldn’t have come close to winning. But he knows that, and admits it. Besides, having a hard time with the Dems in Virginia – But he’ll get it done!’ Trump wrote.

Chris Sununu: The popular New Hampshire governor from a GOP political dynasty who called Trump ‘crazy’ but now says it’s a joke

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu is testing the presidential waters but it’s unclear how far he’ll wade in. 

Earlier this month, Sununu launched the ‘Live Free or Die’ committee, a 501(c)4 that allows him to raise unlimited funds, usually an early sign a politician is readying a bid. 

He’s tried to make peace with the MAGA wing of his party, saying on CNN last week that it was merely a ‘funny joke’ when he called Trump ‘f***ing crazy’ at Washington’s white-tie Gridiron dinner last year.  

‘I don’t think he’s so crazy that you could put him in a mental institution, but I think if he were in one, he ain’t getting out,’ Sununu also told the crowd about the ex-president.

Sununu noted that his speech was supposed to be a ‘roast’ and he made fun of others, including his family members – he comes from a New Hampshire political dynasty – and former White House press secretary Jen Psaki. 

‘And so, the fact that someone might say something humorous or whatever, doesn’t qualify or disqualify them from anything,’ Sununu noted.

He also said he’d support Trump if he were the nominee, though said he didn’t believe the ex-president would win the nomination again.  

At the same time, Sununu – unlike Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott – didn’t skip President Joe Biden’s invitation to appear with him at the White House last week as part of the National Governors Association meeting. 

And he’s branded himself as more sensible than the anti-‘woke’ DeSantis. 

‘We all hate this cancel culture that’s out there. Those are societal issues in this country that have to be taken on,’ Sununu said. ‘But it isn’t the government that’s going to come and solve that problem.’ 

But in interviews it sounds like Sununu doesn’t really know if he’ll run. 

‘Maybe it’s us leading the charge – maybe no,’ he said in an interview last week with Axios. ‘But we’re definitely going to be part of that conversation, and hopefully we’re making the candidates better versions of themselves.’  

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Asa Hutchinson: The former Arkanas governor who’s been open about launching a 2024 run 

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson hasn’t been shy about his presidential ambitions. 

As Haley announced her presidential bid Tuesday, Hutchinson said he was headed back to Iowa Wednesday, as Republicans have maintained the first-in-the-nation caucuses. 

‘Iowans set the tone in our electoral process and their voice is one that anyone contemplating higher office should not only seek out, but carefully listen to,’ Hutchinson said on Fox News. 

Hutchinson, 72, has tried to characterize himself as a thought leader of the party, hosting a mix of Republicans to Arkansas in October for ‘America Leads: An Ideas Summit.’ 

The summit included Bush-era officials like former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as well as the Trump-aligned Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who has since taken Hutchinson’s place as Arkansas’ governor. 

Still, he maintains a lower national profile than other ‘RINO’ ex-governors, like Hogan.  

Asked by the Associated Press if he was worried that a crowded GOP presidential field could help Trump win the nomination again, Hutchinson said no. 

‘I think it will be much more methodical this cycle than what we’ve seen in previous years,’ he replied. ‘And I think that competition is good and healthy.’ 

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Greg Abbott: The Texas governor who easily beat Democratic darling Beto O’Rourke – but would he bite the hand who endorsed him? 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has left the door open for a 2024 bid, but he’s also suggested a run for the White House next year isn’t his top priority – and thus has not attracted Trump’s ire. 

He was asked by Fox News in January, the day he was sworn-in for a third term, if he was ‘ruling out’ a presidential bid. 

‘I think a more accurate way to say it is it’s not something I’m ruling in right now. I’m focused on Texas, period,’ Abbott answered. 

Abbott’s top political strategist Dave Carney told The Dallas Morning News in January that a the governor wouldn’t even think of testing the waters until the Texas legislative session is finished. 

It wraps in late May.

‘What he’s always said is you know, when the session is over, he will take a look at the situation and see if there’s a need for his voice, his experience, to get into the fray,’ said Carney. ‘But until then, we’re not going to New Hampshire or Iowa or South Carolina – or the things that you’d want to do if you’re blindly ambitious to run.’  

Abbott received the backing of Trump as he ran against Democratic darling Beto O’Rourke, who had nearly unseated Republican Sen. Ted Cruz back in 2018. 

But Abbott easily won his race – besting the former congressman and gun control advocate by slightly more than 10 points. 

He’s built up a national brand based on his support for a tough border and the Second Amendment and opposition to abortion.  

‘I have championed conservative causes because I believe that’s the right direction both for Texas as well as the United States,’ Abbott told Fox when asked about 2024. 

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Steve Laffey: A dark horse candidate who hopes to be the next Herman Cain 

In 2012 there was Herman Cain, the former Godfather’s Pizza CEO, whose rising political career and presidential bid was only stymied by sexual harassment allegations. 

In 2016, there was Dr. Ben Carson, a neurosurgeon who took on President Barack Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast and then launched a presidential run, the only candidate other than Trump to ever top the GOP primary polls. 

In 2024, Steve Laffey hopes that dark horse role goes to him, but with more success. 

Laffey, 61, is the former mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island, who says his career working in business, at a brokerage firm, means he has the right skills for this political moment – moreso than the ex-president. 

‘My experience in hiring and, unfortunately, firing and putting the right people in the right place is far better than what Donald Trump showed as president,’ he told DailyMail.com, adding: ‘I’m a financial expert. He, obviously, is not. He’s a real estate developer.’ 

Laffey was a controversial mayor of the Rhode Island town – firing crossing guards and meddling with unions. He argues he put the town of around 82,000 people on better financial footing. 

Afterward, he attempted to run for U.S. Senate in 2006, challenging GOP Sen. Lincoln Chaffee in the primary. His run was so divisive that state Republicans warned that if won the nomination they’d endorse the Democratic candidate. 

His supporters called him brilliant and unafraid, while critics said he had a massive ego.  

During a DailyMail.com interview, he acknowledged he was a presidential longshot.  

‘I think what I’ve learned over time is that timing is everything. If I had run for mayor of Cranston four years early, I would not have won. And if I run for president in 2012 I wouldn’t get anywhere,’ he said.

‘But every 50 years, we have a disaster,’ he noted, pointing to recession fears.

Vivek Ramaswamy: A 37-year-old entrepreneur and author who’s made a name for himself by being anti-‘woke’ 

While he hasn’t officially entered the race like Laffey, another dark horse candidate, 37-year-old Vivek Ramaswamy is laying the groundwork to launch a presidential bid by making treks to Iowa, which holds the first caucus. 

Ramaswamy is a successful entrepreneur and reportedly worth around $500 million – giving him a leg up as he won’t need to rely on early fundraising. 

His latest book, Woke, Inc., argues that politics doesn’t belong in business – and has made him a rising star on the political right. 

Ramaswamy told Politico that his anti-wokeness activism was inspired by hearing his fellow business elites say one thing in public – towing the progressive line – while in private saying they were sick of social activism. 

Ramaswamy said he plans to run defeating China, firing the ‘managerial class’ of federal workers and shrinking the number of federal agencies, reforming the national security apparatus and doing away with affirmative action. 

He’s put name brand Republicans on his cabinet including Pompeo, who has his own White House ambitions, Sen. Tom Cotton, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, Politico said.