2020 Democratic Presidential Nominee Weekly Power Rankings - May 1, 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:

It finally happened. Joe Biden has entered the game. If CNN's new poll is any indication, everything is coming up Joe. Given the numbers I'm seeing, I'm going to make another structural change to my rankings and strip it down to Top 8. Anyone outside of that is a dark horse that will only gain traction through some special set of circumstances.

1. Joe Biden

Previous Ranking: 1 (N/A)
Credentials: Vice President of the United States (2009–2017); U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973–2009)
Note: There's no getting around it. Biden enters the race as the front runner. He's been leading in the polls, and now in endorsements and initial fundraising as well. Biden's riding high on name recognition and the party establishment. Don't expect him to veer to far from his more moderate views and policies, which might win over the lucrative older demographic.

2. Bernie Sanders

Previous Ranking: 1 (-1)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Vermont (2007–Current); U.S. Representative from Vermont (1991–2007); Mayor of Burlington, Vermont (1981–1989)
Note: Sanders suggested this week that Disney use their profits from Avengers: Endgame to give raises to its employees. Unfortunately, his poll numbers have taken a dive since Biden has entered the race. I still think he's solidly in second place, but that's not a consensus view.

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. Pete Buttigieg

Previous Ranking: 3 (-1)
Credentials: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012 — Current)
Note: New polling and media coverage is suggesting that the Buttigieg Bump might be plateauing. We'll have to see if he can hold on.

5. Elizabeth Warren

Previous Ranking: 5 (-)
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)
Note: Warren got quite a boost in polling over the weekend, even coming in second in the Quinnipiac University poll. She's been pushing out policies and going hard against Trump, and it looks like that strategy is starting to work.

6. Beto O'Rourke

Previous Ranking: 4 (-2)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Texas (2013–2019); El Paso City Council (2005-2011)
Note: The O'Rourke campaign hasn't been policy driven, but he did release a $5 trillion climate change proposal a few days ago. However, his poll numbers have been stagnant as best, and he hasn't gotten any notable endorsements since his kickoff.

7. Cory Booker

Previous Ranking: 6 (-1)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from New Jersey (2013-Present); Mayor of Newark, NJ (2006-2013); Newark City Council (1998-2002)

8. Amy Klobuchar

Previous Ranking: 7 (-1)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2007-Present)
Note: Biden will be a thorn in Klobuchar's side during the primary, since they fall into the same moderate and party establishment lanes.

Honorable Mentions, Tier 1

Julian Castro, Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Representative from Hawaii
Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator from New York
John Hickenlooper, Former Governor of Colorado
Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington

Honorable Mentions, Tier 2

John Delaney, Former U.S. Representative from Maryland
Seth Moulton, U.S. Representative from Massachusetts
Tim Ryan, U.S. Representative from Ohio
Eric Swalwell, U.S. Representative from California
Marianne Williamson, Motivational Speaker & Self Help Author
Andrew Yang, Entrepreneur

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