By PRFSU Writers 2023-2024 
Grant Golin
President Joe Biden announced in a video message released on Tuesday that he is seeking a second term as president of the United States. The announcement comes four years to the day since Biden launched his 2020 presidential candidacy. In the video, the president asked voters for a second term to, “finish the job.”
Biden named Julie Chavez Rodriguez, senior White House advisor and granddaughter of labor and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, to be his campaign manager. Other top White House advisors Jen O’Malley Dillon, who was Biden’s campaign manager in 2020, along with Mike Donilon, Anita Dunn, and Steve Ricchetti will also take leading roles from the West Wing.
For months, the president has indicated that he would seek a second term, especially after the Democratic party’s unexpected resilience in the 2022 midterm elections. It was ultimately not a matter of if, but when Biden would announce his reelection bid. The president reportedly did not feel the need to quickly jump into the race since it is unlikely he will face a serious primary challenger. Marianne Williamson, a writer and spiritual guru, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nephew of President John F. Kennedy and son of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, have announced their longshot bids for the Democratic nomination.
The Democratic National Committee recently shook up the presidential primary calendar, making South Carolina its first primary state. In 2020, Joe Biden’s win in the South Carolina primary propelled him to win the party’s nomination. Just last week, the Democratic National Committee also announced that its 2024 national convention would take place from August 19 through August 22, 2024, in Chicago.
There have been concerns regarding the president’s age – he will be 82 at the end of his current term and he would be 86 by the end of a second term. Recent polls also indicate tepid support for Biden among Democrats. In response to questions about his age, President Biden has repeatedly quipped, “Just watch me.” The president’s 2024 campaign will also be different from his 2020 candidacy since he is the incumbent and has the full resources of the national party at his disposal. Biden and his reelection team will be able to quickly ramp up for the general election.
Biden is expected to run on his legislative accomplishments, like the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act.