2020 Democratic Presidential Nominee Weekly Power Rankings - June 12, 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 moderators for the first Democratic debates have been announced.

1. Joe Biden

Previous Ranking: 1 (-)
Credentials: Vice President of the United States (2009–2017); U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973–2009)
Notes: Biden created some controversy this past week by stating his support for the Hyde Amendment (which limits federal funding for abortions), then reversing his position after much backlash from pro-choice Democrats.

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 embraces the concept of "democratic socialism" in a speech today.

3. Elizabeth Warren

Previous Ranking: 3 (-)
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 is looking strong in new polling from Iowa (where the first primary will be held).

4. Kamala Harris

Previous Ranking: 4 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from California (2017–Current); Attorney General of California (2011–2017); District Attorney of San Francisco (2004–2011)
Notes: The new Iowa poll isn't so kind to Harris, but I'm not expecting her to do that well in the rural state anyway. She did make some headlines yesterday by saying her DOJ would bring criminal charges against Trump.

5. Pete Buttigieg

Previous Ranking: 5 (-)
Credentials: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012 — Current)
Notes: Buttigieg gave his first foreign policy speech yesterday, calling for an end to "endless war".

6. Beto O'Rourke

Previous Ranking: 6 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Texas (2013–2019); El Paso City Council (2005-2011)
Notes: O'Rourke rolled out his LGBTQ+ platform, hoping to fix some of the damage done by the Trump administration.

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 hinted that he might propose to his girlfriend, actress Rosario Dawson, before the 2020 elections.

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
Mike Gravel, Former U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative from Alaska
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.