The 2024 presidential election, set against a backdrop of heightened tension and polarization, is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in U.S. history. With deep divisions over key issues, this election could significantly impact the nation’s trajectory as candidates present starkly different visions for America’s future.
This feature will profile major candidates in the race and their priorities. To provide a relevant overview, Drops of Ink conducted a survey between Wednesday, Sept. 4 and Saturday, Sept. 7 identifying the most critical issues for students and how the campaigns cover them.
THE CANDIDATES
Democrat: Kamala Harris and Tim Walz
Kamala Harris was a prosecutor and California’s attorney general before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016. She became vice president on Jan. 20, 2021, under President Joe Biden.
As vice president, Harris has been instrumental in landmark decisions like the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Tim Walz, Minnesota’s governor since 2019, aligns with Harris’ policy priorities and has collaborated with the Biden-Harris administration on COVID-19 response and clean energy initiatives.
INFLATION: The Harris campaign has vowed to slash taxes on the middle class and ban price gouging to fight inflation. Harris supports economic relief packages and infrastructure investments to boost job creation, and strengthen economic recovery.
SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS: Harris supports comprehensive gun safety reforms, including universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons, and measures to prevent gun violence while respecting constitutional rights.
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: Harris is a strong advocate for reproductive rights, including protecting access to abortion and contraception, and ensuring comprehensive reproductive healthcare.
Republican: Donald Trump and JD Vance
Donald Trump was a businessman and TV personality with no prior experience in elected office when he announced his presidential bid on June 16, 2015, won the Republican nomination, and served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021.
His administration was marked by landmark decisions such as tax cuts, appointing three Supreme Court justices and renegotiating trade deals. Post-2020, he remains influential in the GOP and is running again in 2024. J.D. Vance, an Ohio senator elected in 2022 with Trump’s endorsement, aligns closely with his ideology.
INFLATION: The Trump Campaign hopes to tackle Inflation by reining in wasteful spending, cutting regulations (such as terminating the Green New Deal), and making the immigration process more strict.
SECOND AMENDMENT: While Trump does not currently have an official statement on the issue of gun control, he has stated in the past that he supports the right to bear arms.
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: Donald Trump opposes late-term abortion and supports state regulation while advocating for improved prenatal care, birth control access, and fertility treatments.
Libertarian: Chase Oliver and Mike ter Maat
Before entering into politics, Chace Oliver – the youngest and only openly gay candidate – was an Atlanta social activist before joining the Libertarian Party in 2010. Since his introduction to the Libertarian Party, he has run for office in Georgia’s 5th congressional district in 2020, and for one of Georgia’s U.S. Senate seats. In both cases, he won approximately 2% of the vote.
His running mate, Mike ter Maat, was a Businessman and Economist before entering politics as a Libertarian in 2010. He has run for the House of Representatives in Florida’s 20th district before running as a presidential candidate in the Libertarian 2024 primary.
INFLATION: The campaign, strongly against government overspending and “reckless money printing,” is in favor of slashing spending and balancing the budget.
SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS: Oliver strongly believes in one’s right to defend themself from external threats, is open to appointing judges who support armed weapon usage, is against any new gun restrictions and is in favor of repealing any that exist today.
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: Oliver self-identifies as pro-choice but is opposed to taxpayer funding for abortion clinics, as shown by his support of the Hyde Amendment in his 2022 senate campaign.
Independent: Cornel West and Melina Abdullah
Before entering politics, Cornel West was a renowned philosopher, political activist, and author known for his work on race, justice and democracy. He taught at Princeton, Harvard, and Yale and wrote “Race Matters” and “Democracy Matters.” His political background is marked by significant activism rather than holding elected office, with a focus on civil rights, economic equality and anti-imperialism.
Melina Abdullah, West’s running mate, is a prominent activist focused on racial justice and police reform, a professor and co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles with no elected political background.
INFLATION: The campaign, strongly against government overspending and “reckless money printing,” is in favor of slashing spending and balancing the budget.
SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS: Oliver strongly believes in one’s right to defend themself from external threats, is open to appointing judges who support armed weapon usage, is against any new gun restrictions and is in favor of repealing any that exist today.
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: Oliver self-identifies as pro-choice but is opposed to taxpayer funding for abortion clinics, as shown by his support of the Hyde Amendment in his 2022 senate campaign.
Green: Jill Stein and Butch Ware
Jill Stein is a physician and environmental health advocate known for her work on environmental and social justice issues. Her political background includes activism and multiple runs for office rather than holding elected positions; she ran for president as the Green Party candidate in 2012 and 2016,
focusing on a platform of sustainability, economic reform, and peace.
Stein has advocated for universal healthcare, climate action through a Green New Deal and reducing military spending. Stein selected Butch Ware, a historian and educator with expertise in African and Islamic studies, as her vice-presidential running mate.
INFLATION: Stein advocates for a Green New Deal to address inflation and create jobs, emphasizing eco-friendly investments and full employment as key strategies for economic stability.
SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS: Stein supports gun control measures while respecting Second Amendment rights, focusing on preventing violence through regulations like background checks and bans on assault weapons.
WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: Stein strongly supports reproductive rights, advocating for access to abortion, contraception, and comprehensive healthcare for women’s health and autonomy.
Drops of Ink intends for this area to be used to foster healthy, thought-provoking discussion. Comments are expected to adhere to our standards and to be respectful and constructive. As such, we do not permit the use of profanity, foul language, personal attacks, or the use of language that might be interpreted as libelous. Comments are reviewed and must be approved by a moderator to ensure that they meet these standards. Drops of Ink does not allow anonymous comments, and we require a valid email address. The email address will not be displayed but will be used to confirm your comments.
Kamala Harris was a prosecutor and California’s attorney general before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016. She became vice president on Jan. 20, 2021, under President Joe Biden.
and TV personality with no prior experience in elected office when he announced his presidential bid on June 16, 2015, won the Republican nomination, and served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021.
Before entering into politics, Chace Oliver – the youngest and only openly gay candidate – was an Atlanta social activist before joining the Libertarian Party in 2010. Since his introduction to the Libertarian Party, he has run for office in Georgia’s 5th congressional district in 2020, and for one of Georgia’s U.S. Senate seats. In both cases, he won approximately 2% of the vote.
Before entering politics, Cornel West was a renowned philosopher, political activist, and author known for his work on race, justice and democracy. He taught at Princeton, Harvard, and Yale and wrote “Race Matters” and “Democracy Matters.” His political background is marked by significant activism rather than holding elected office, with a focus on civil rights, economic equality and anti-imperialism.
Jill Stein is a physician and environmental health advocate known for her work on environmental and social justice issues. Her political background includes activism and multiple runs for office rather than holding elected positions; she ran for president as the Green Party candidate in 2012 and 2016,
