2020 Democratic Presidential Nominee Weekly Power Rankings - March 6, 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:
The field grew quite a bit this week, with two new candidates with gubernatorial experience joining the race. At least we now know Hillary Clinton has ruled out running. That just leaves Biden (who
recently had to backtrack praise about VP Pence) and Beto O'Rourke as the big names that could impact the rankings.
recently had to backtrack praise about VP Pence) and Beto O'Rourke as the big names that could impact the rankings.
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 is technically an Independent, but is running as Democrat. He has now signed a pledge that he will run and govern as a Democrat if we wins. That should hopefully appease party loyalists.
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)
Notes: There's a hit piece out there about how Donald and Ivanka Trump have donated to Harris' campaign for Attorney General. This shouldn't be surprising, as Donald has donated to Democrats often in his past. He's mostly a Republican because it's convenient for him.
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)
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)
Notes: Legalizing Marijuana looks to be a potential hot topic for this primary, and Booker takes the lead on the issue by announcing that he will introduce a bill to do just that.
5. Jay Inslee
Previous Ranking: N/A (-)
Credentials: Governor of Washington (2013-Current); U.S. Representative from Washington (1993-1995, 1999-2012); Washington State Representative (1988-1992)
Notes: Inslee enters the race as the only current governor. Governors and former Governors usually do pretty well in presidential elections, so he could make some headway despite not being a national name. Inslee is making climate change his top issue in his campaign, though it's hard to say if that is a strong enough issue to push him ahead.
6. Amy Klobuchar
Previous Ranking: 5 (-1)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2007-Present)
Notes: Klobuchar joked about some of the accusations of her being a mean boss at a the Gridiron Dinner. It played well with the room of D.C. elites, but might not with general audiences.
7. Kirsten Gillibrand
Previous Ranking: 6 (-1)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from NewYork (2009–Current); U.S. Representative from New York (2007–2009)
8. John Hickenlooper
Previous Ranking: N/A (-)
Credentials: Governor of Colorado (2011-2019); Mayor of Denver (2004-2010)
Notes: Hickenlooper is sometimes portrayed as aloof, his quirky history (he has a Masters in Geology and founded a brewpub) and personality should pair well with his leadership experience. However, I don't know if that's enough for his to rise from the sea of candidates.
9. Julian Castro
Previous Ranking: 7 (-2)
Credentials: U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2014–2017); Mayor of San Antonio (2009–2014)
10. Tulsi Gabbard
Previous Ranking: 8 (-2)
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)
11. John Delaney
Previous Ranking: 9 (-2)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Maryland (2013–2019)
12. Pete Buttigieg
Previous Ranking: 10 (-2)
Credentials: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012 — Current)
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