2020 Democratic Presidential Nominee Weekly Power Rankings - April 3, 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:

With all the bad coverage Biden is getting for his past interactions with women, I wouldn't be surprised if he chooses not to run anymore.

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 raised over $18 million from over 525,000 individual donors in his first six weeks. While not everyone's first quarter numbers are out, Sanders is probably in the fundraising lead.

2. Beto O'Rourke

Previous Ranking: 2 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Texas (2013–2019); El Paso City Council (2005-2011)

3. Kamala Harris

Previous Ranking: 3 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from California (2017–Current); Attorney General of California (2011–2017); District Attorney of San Francisco (2004–2011)
Note: Harris rolled out her plan to give teachers raises.

4. Elizabeth Warren

Previous Ranking: 4 (-)
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 hasn't released fundraising totals since her first 24 hours, so there's some talk that she might be underperforming. The departure of her finance director doesn't help.

5. Cory Booker

Previous Ranking: 5 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from New Jersey (2013-Present); Mayor of Newark, NJ (2006-2013); Newark City Council (1998-2002)
Notes: One reason to vote for Booker is the possibility of the first presidential wedding in over a century (he's currently dating actress Rosario Dawson). He reluctantly talked about this at his CNN Town Hall last week.

6. Amy Klobuchar

Previous Ranking: 6 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2007-Present)
Notes: Klobuchar hasn't gotten a lot of media coverage, so you may be wondering why I still have her this high in the rankings. She polls decently and is 3rd on FiveThirtyEight's endorsement tracker. Klobuchar has a lot of support in the party, and she stands out as probably the most conservative top tier candidate. That should give her enough of a boost to keep her in the running deep into the primary season.

7. Pete Buttigieg

Previous Ranking: 9 (+2)
Credentials: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012 — Current)
Notes: The Buttigieg Bump is real, but we'll have to wait and see if it lasts.

8. John Hickenlooper

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

9. Jay Inslee

Previous Ranking: 7 (-2)
Credentials: Governor of Washington (2013-Current); U.S. Representative from Washington (1993-1995, 1999-2012); Washington State Representative (1988-1992)

10. Julian Castro

Previous Ranking: 10 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2014–2017); Mayor of San Antonio (2009–2014)

11. Kirsten Gillibrand

Previous Ranking: 9 (-2)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from NewYork (2009–Current); U.S. Representative from New York (2007–2009)

12. Tulsi Gabbard

Previous Ranking: 12 (-)
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)
Notes: Gabbard keeps finding new scandals to get stuck in. After Attorney General Barr's summary of the Mueller Report was released, she made a video for social media where she said it's time to move forward. However, the full report hasn't been released or reviewed by an impartial party, so people were quick to criticize her premature call to action.

13. John Delaney

Previous Ranking: 13 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Maryland (2013–2019)

14. Andrew Yang

Previous Ranking: 14 (-)
Credentials: Entrepreneur



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