2020 Democratic Presidential Nominee Weekly Power Rankings - April 10, 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 list grows to 16 candidates, and Biden has still not declared. I'll still keep ranking anyone that is noteworthy for now. Starting in May, I'll only rank the Top 12 candidates and just include others as honorable mentions at the end.

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: 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)

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)

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: Booker raised over 5 million in the first quarter, which is fine. However, he'll have to do more to stay in the race with others like Klobuchar and Buttigieg out pacing him in money.

6. Pete Buttigieg

Previous Ranking: 7 (+1)
Credentials: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012 — Current)
Notes: Buttigieg is still getting a lot of good press, and polls show that voters are starting to become aware of him. Add on his impressive first quarter fundraising, and it looks like Mayor Pete may not be a fluke.

7. Amy Klobuchar

Previous Ranking: 6 (-1)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2007-Present)
Notes: While Klobuchar drops in my rankings, her initial fundraising numbers prove she's not going anywhere anytime soon.

8. John Hickenlooper

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

9. Jay Inslee

Previous Ranking: 9 (-)
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: 11 (-)
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)

13. Eric Swalwell

Previous Ranking: N/A
Credentials: U.S. Representative from California (2013–Current); Dublin City Council (2010-2013)
Notes: Swalwell announced his candidacy on Monday, and will be leading with the issue of gun control. Swalwell has gotten a bit of attention for his opposition of Trump's policies, and he's active on social media. However, he large barriers to overcome. He can't count on California, since Kamala Harris is one of the front runners. He's also rather young at 38 years old, which also means he's politically green.

14. John Delaney

Previous Ranking: 13 (-1)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Maryland (2013–2019)

15. Tim Ryan

Previous Ranking: N/A
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Ohio (2003–Current); Ohio State Senate (2001-2002)
Notes: Ryan is practically a political veteran compared to most of the candidates on this list. In almost any other year, he could be a serious contender. However, the lack of name recognition, entering the race late, and lack of X-factor could doom him. I don't think him going for the "yoga vote" will help much.

16. Andrew Yang

Previous Ranking: 14 (-2)
Credentials: Entrepreneur



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