2020 Democratic Presidential Nominee Weekly Power Rankings - February 27, 2019

This list looks at who I believe currently has the best chance of winning the 2020 Democratic Party nomination for President. Only notable individuals who have announced they are running or have formed an exploratory committee are included. I am not a political expert, so don’t take this too seriously. Feel free to provide feedback.

Notes for This Week:

I don't think much will change in the rankings until we find out if Joe Biden is running (I give it a 60% chance), unless there are some serious goofs. It's early in the process, but FiveThirtyEight has some good articles, including Democratic Voters' Second Choices. 

1. Bernie Sanders

Previous Ranking: 1 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Vermont (2007–Current); U.S. Representative from Vermont (1991–2007); Mayor of Burlington, Vermont (1981–1989)
Notes: Sanders has been going full steam ahead after his announcement, raising $10 million in less than a week and averaging only $27 per donation. After some criticism of "Bernie Bros" and a general underbelly of anger in his supporters, Sanders urged surrogates to be respectful in the media. He also had a relatively successful CNN Town Hall on Monday.

2. Kamala Harris

Previous Ranking: 2 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from California (2017–Current); Attorney General of California (2011–2017); District Attorney of San Francisco (2004–2011)

3. Elizabeth Warren

Previous Ranking: 3 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (2013–Current); Assistant to the President for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2010–2011); Congressional Oversight Panel Chair for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (2008–2010)
Notes: Sanders is still the primary reason Warren will have trouble outperforming Harris. Warren and Sanders are probably the two closest candidates in terms of positions, but Sanders is just more popular. Warren made some good steps this week, pledging to not hold any fundraisers for big donors. Her focus on smaller donations is an attempt to mimic the natural grassroots support that Sanders already has. We'll see if it helps.

4. Cory Booker

Previous Ranking: 4 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from New Jersey (2013-Present); Mayor of Newark, NJ (2006-2013); Newark City Council (1998-2002)

5. Amy Klobuchar

Previous Ranking: 5 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2007-Present)

6. Kirsten Gillibrand

Previous Ranking: 6 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from NewYork (2009–Current); U.S. Representative from New York (2007–2009)

7. Julian Castro

Previous Ranking: 7 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2014–2017); Mayor of San Antonio (2009–2014)

8. Tulsi Gabbard

Previous Ranking: 8 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Hawaii (2013–Current); Honolulu City Council Member (2011–2012); Hawaii State Representative (2002–2004); Major in Hawaii Army National Guard (2003-Current)

9. John Delaney

Previous Ranking: 9 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Maryland (2013–2019)

10. Pete Buttigieg

Previous Ranking: 10 (-)
Credentials: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012 — Current)