Shadow campaigns: 7 Democratic candidates who could step in if President Biden drops out of 2024 race

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President Biden’s widely panned debate performance has sparked a firestorm of speculation on whether Democrats will switch horses midstream and select a new presidential nominee from a generally accepted list of candidates.

VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS

Harris, 59, would seemingly be the most logical fit, offering the smoothest transition given her position as vice president, and some calls for her to step in have already been issued.

"After deep reflection over these past few days, I strongly believe that our best path forward is Kamala Harris," Tim Ryan, the former Democratic congressman and presidential candidate, wrote in Newsweek on Monday.

BIDEN'S CANDIDACY REMAINS UNDER THREAT AS TOP DEMOCRATIC DONORS GET COLD FEET

Many experts have raised concerns about the vice president’s approval rating as her poll numbers have plummeted since taking office. Earlier this year, polling showed Harris is viewed negatively by a combined 53% of registered voters and positively by a combined 28% of voters.

CALIFORNIA GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM

If Democrats were to make a move away from Biden, potentially at the Democratic National Convention in August, the most talked about successor in recent months has been California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Newsom, 56, has long been accused of running a "shadow campaign" for president over the past year as he has engaged in high-profile events,