Former President Donald Trump returns with his signature rallies and promises of "Making America Great Again 2.0." Nikki Haley, ex-ambassador and South Carolina governor, brings foreign policy clout and a fresh outlook.

Ron DeSantis, nicknamed "Florida Man" for his bold policies, is a rising star on the right. He's championed school choice, challenged big tech, and faced off against Disney.

Tim Scott's personal journey from poverty to the halls of power inspires many. He advocates for economic opportunity, criminal justice reform, and bipartisanship.

Former Vice President Mike Pence leverages his experience and loyalty to Trump. Chris Christie, the ex-New Jersey governor, seeks a national comeback. Vivek Ramaswamy, a tech CEO, offers fresh ideas on everything from education to antitrust.

Governors like Asa Hutchinson and Larry Hogan, businessman Ryan Binkley, and even media personalities like Tulsi Gabbard (now running as a Republican) - keep an eye on these

Nikki Haley, a former governor of South Carolina and current US ambassador to the UN, has positioned herself as a younger, more moderate rival to Trump.

Even though many of his Republican opponents never considered Ramaswamy a credible candidate, the right-wing figure managed to increase his prominence throughout the 2024 campaign.

Doug Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, declared his candidacy in an opinion piece he wrote for the Wall Street Journal in June 2023.

Although he has never served in public office, Republican radio presenter and Fox News commentator Elder spearheaded the failed recall effort in 2021 to succeed Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom of California.

Midway through October 2023, after failing to qualify for the debate stage, Perry Johnson, a prominent Michigan businessman, decided to withdraw from the contest.

Will Hurd, a centrist who represented a district near the border, was a vocal opponent of Trump’s immigration policy throughout his time in office. It was because Hurd thought his party had moved a far right under Trump that he decided not to run for reelection in 2020.