President Joe Biden stepped down from the 2024 presidential election, coming only one week after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
These back-to-back events changed not only the course of the election but the course of history. A candidate has not dropped out this late in an election year in modern American history.
Biden announced his intent to drop out July 21. Following his statement, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic party nominee. Since this announcement, many prevalent Democrats have endorsed Harris.
“For Democrats, the endorsement is good because it means Kamala will be continuing Biden’s direction of a more liberal presidency,” Ella Irwin, a junior in political science at Kansas State, said. “If you’re a Republican, then it’s bad because of the same reason.”
Trump accepted his party’s nomination July 18 at the Republican National Convention, selecting JD Vance as his running mate. His acceptance speech came only five days after he was shot during a rally in Pennsylvania. One spectator was killed, others were critically injured and Trump’s ear was grazed with a bullet.
These two events are historical, but there are other incidents that marked this election as unprecedented long before July.
Concerns about Biden’s age plagued the country since he announced his intention to run for re-election, but peaked in public interest after his performance at the most recent debate.
Biden is the oldest president to be inaugurated and would have been the oldest presidential candidate in American history. Now, that title belongs to Trump.
“I believe they are both too old for office and that we need fresh leadership,” Irwin said.
Trump’s age is not the only thing that sets him apart from past candidates. He is a convicted felon; making him the first to serve as a presidential candidate.
According to AP News, Trump was convicted of 34 charges surrounding a scheme to influence the 2016 election in May 2024.
The only requirements to run for president outlined in the constitution are age and citizenship. Therefore, Trump running for president despite his convictions is neither illegal nor unconstitutional.
Despite not being the party’s official nominee, the start of Kamala’s campaign has appeared successful among Democrats. According to the Kamala Harris campaign, it raised over $310 million last month.
As of Aug. 6, Harris announced her running mate as Tim Walz, the current Minnesota governor.
Trump also looks to have a successful campaign. He was endorsed by Republicans nationwide and has a loyal fanbase which is especially supportive after the attempted assassination.
Election Day is Nov. 5, 2024. The deadline in Kansas to register to vote is October 15. Advanced voting will begin the following day.
“As a political science major, I tend to care about the election more as it’s what I’m studying,” Irwin said. “I do not think that my major makes me a better voter than anyone else, as anyone that takes the time to educate themselves can be a great voter.”
