2020 Democratic Presidential Nominee Weekly Power Rankings - March 20, 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:

After Beto O'Rourke entered the race and Andrew Yang started getting some notice as a candidate, I decided to really pick through my rankings and shake things up. Also, what is Biden waiting for?

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)

2. Beto O'Rourke

Previous Ranking: N/A (-)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Texas (2013–2019); El Paso City Council (2005-2011)
Notes: O'Rourke is a rising star after almost beating Ted Cruz for a senate seat. He earned more than Sanders in the 24 hours after his announcement, but the number of donors is unknown. Be ready for the establishment to push Beto over Bernie if it comes down to it. 

3. Kamala Harris

Previous Ranking: 2 (-1)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from California (2017–Current); Attorney General of California (2011–2017); District Attorney of San Francisco (2004–2011)

4. Elizabeth Warren

Previous Ranking: 3 (-1)
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: Warren keeps making news with her policy announcements. This week she advocated for removing the electoral college and researching the concept of reparations.

5. Cory Booker

Previous Ranking: 4 (-1)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from New Jersey (2013-Present); Mayor of Newark, NJ (2006-2013); Newark City Council (1998-2002)

6. Amy Klobuchar

Previous Ranking: 6 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2007-Present)

7. Jay Inslee

Previous Ranking: 5 (-2)
Credentials: Governor of Washington (2013-Current); U.S. Representative from Washington (1993-1995, 1999-2012); Washington State Representative (1988-1992)

8. John Hickenlooper

Previous Ranking: 8 (-)
Credentials: Governor of Colorado (2011-2019); Mayor of Denver (2004-2010)

9. Kirsten Gillibrand

Previous Ranking: 7 (-2)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from NewYork (2009–Current); U.S. Representative from New York (2007–2009)
Notes: Gillibrand's exploratory committee is now a real campaign.

10. Julian Castro

Previous Ranking: 9 (-1)
Credentials: U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2014–2017); Mayor of San Antonio (2009–2014)

11. Pete Buttigieg

Previous Ranking: 12 (+1)
Credentials: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012 — Current)
Notes: Buttigieg is becoming an underdog favorite due to his views and earnestness. He has some hurdles to overcome, but in a crowded field, at least people are talking about him.

12. Tulsi Gabbard

Previous Ranking: 10 (-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)

13. John Delaney

Previous Ranking: 11 (-2)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Maryland (2013–2019)
Notes: Delaney also spoke at SXSW.

14. Andrew Yang

Previous Ranking: N/A (-)
Credentials: Entrepreneur
Notes: Yang has been one of the fringe candidates so far, but he's been turning some heads in the past few weeks. FiveThirtyEight even included him yesterday in their series on how Democratic candidates could win the nomination. However, he's still not well-known, and his progressive policies (like universal basic income) are controversial.

Let me know what you think about my rankings! Leave a comment below.