2020 Democratic Presidential Nominee Weekly Power Rankings - May 22, 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:

A small shake-up in the top spots this week. Plus, New York Mayor Bill De Blasio has entered the race, because why not?

1. Joe Biden

Previous Ranking: 1 (-)
Credentials: Vice President of the United States (2009–2017); U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973–2009)
Notes: Biden has to be feeling good after getting targeted by both Trump and North Korea this week.

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: Sanders plans to crash Walmart's annual shareholder meeting, which should be interesting.

3. Elizabeth Warren

Previous Ranking: 4 (+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: As I mentioned last week, Warren has seen a surge in polling recently. Warren has been polling at or above Harris for a couple weeks now, and often in third overall. Her strong stance against Trump and systematic policy rollouts have really got people noticing her.

4. Kamala Harris

Previous Ranking: 3 (-1)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from California (2017–Current); Attorney General of California (2011–2017); District Attorney of San Francisco (2004–2011)
Notes: Harris hasn't done anything wrong to slip in the ranking, but Warren is just killing it. Harris might be trying to gain some more attention in recent days by stating that she supports independent investigations into fatal police shootings and announcing a plan to close the gender pay gap.

5. Pete Buttigieg

Previous Ranking: 5 (-)
Credentials: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012 — Current)
Note: Buttigieg nailed his Fox News Town Hall, even getting away with criticizing some of the network's own personalities.

6. Beto O'Rourke

Previous Ranking: 6 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Texas (2013–2019); El Paso City Council (2005-2011)

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)
Notes: Booker announced today that he would take executive action to protect abortion rights.

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
Bill De Blasio, Mayor of New York
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.