2020 Democratic Presidential Nominee Weekly Power Rankings - May 15, 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 first primary debates start next month, and there are at least 18 candidates who qualify. Now, Montana Governor Steve Bullock has entered the race. Just what we needed.

1. Joe Biden

Previous Ranking: 1 (-)
Credentials: Vice President of the United States (2009–2017); U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973–2009)
Notes: Biden is pushing the idea that Trump is an aberration, which sounds naïve, but might play well with moderate voters.

2. Bernie Sanders

Previous Ranking: 2 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Vermont (2007–Current); U.S. Representative from Vermont (1991–2007); Mayor of Burlington, Vermont (1981–1989)
Notes: The latest polling seems to solidify Sanders' spot in second place, and there are rumors that popular new Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could endorse him or Senator Warren.

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)
Notes: Harris came out the gain positioning herself as a progressive candidate, but has waffled a bit since then. She seems to trying to go back to that by saying she would have voted no on NAFTA and announcing some new aggressive gun control policies.

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 has essentially caught up to Harris in recent polling, but she could use AOC's endorsement more than Sanders to help her break into the Top 3. Warren refused to do a Town Hall on FOX News, calling it a Hate for Profit Racket. This will play well with progressives, but could hurt her with already distant moderates.

5. Pete Buttigieg

Previous Ranking: 5 (-)
Credentials: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012 — Current)
Note: The Buttigieg Bump has faded, but not enough for me to drop him in the rankings just yet.

6. Beto O'Rourke

Previous Ranking: 6 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Texas (2013–2019); El Paso City Council (2005-2011)
Notes: O'Rourke has faded in the polls and media coverage, being somewhat taken over by Buttigieg. His only big newsworthy moment of the past week was admitting that his Vanity Fair cover announcement was a mistake.

7. Cory Booker

Previous Ranking: 7 (-)
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: 8 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2007-Present)

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
Andrew Yang, Entrepreneur

Honorable Mentions, Tier 2

Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator from Colorado
Steve Bullock, Governor of Montana
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

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