2020 Democratic Presidential Nominee Weekly Power Rankings - May 8, 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:

Michael Bennet joined the race, but he'll have a hard road to get to the nomination.

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 getting a nice bump in cable coverage and polls since his announcement.

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)

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 had few small stories this week. She recommended scrapping Trump's tax law, introduced legislation to help public defenders, and questioned people's views on "electability".

4. Elizabeth Warren

Previous Ranking: 5 (+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: On the Senate floor, Warren called for impeachment proceedings to begin against Trump. Today, she released a plan for the opioid crisis.

5. Pete Buttigieg

Previous Ranking: 4 (-1)
Credentials: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012 — Current)
Note: Buttigieg stated that he doesn't think God would be a Republican.

6. Beto O'Rourke

Previous Ranking: 6 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Texas (2013–2019); El Paso City Council (2005-2011)
Notes: O'Rourke finally believes Trump should be impeached.

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 released an aggressive gun control plan that would require a license to own a gun.

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

Honorable Mentions, Tier 2

Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator from Colorado
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.