2020 Democratic Presidential Nominee Weekly Power Rankings - June 26, 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 debates of the 2020 Democratic Party are tonight and tomorrow at 9PM ET / 6PM PT on NBC, MSNBC, and Telemundo. You can also stream it on various platforms. Warren has a chance to stand out tonight against lower-polling opponents. The rest of the big guns are battling tomorrow, so we'll have to see if they all go for front-runner Biden.

1. Joe Biden

Previous Ranking: 1 (-)
Credentials: Vice President of the United States (2009–2017); U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973–2009)
Notes: Biden tried to prove his ability to work across the isle by invoking segregationist senators, which mostly backfired.

2. Elizabeth Warren

Previous Ranking: 2 (-)
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 continues to beat out Sanders in some polls, including those in 3 of first 4 primary states. She also announced yet another plan this week to make voting easier.

3. Bernie Sanders

Previous Ranking: 3 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Vermont (2007–Current); U.S. Representative from Vermont (1991–2007); Mayor of Burlington, Vermont (1981–1989)
Notes: Warren is gaining supporters at Bernie's expense, so it's up to Sanders to find a way to appeal to more voters.

4. Pete Buttigieg

Previous Ranking: 4 (-)
Credentials: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012 — Current)
Notes: Buttigieg has had a rough homecoming this week from his confrontation with protesters to his Town Hall.

5. Kamala Harris

Previous Ranking: 5 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from California (2017–Current); Attorney General of California (2011–2017); District Attorney of San Francisco (2004–2011)

6. Beto O'Rourke

Previous Ranking: 6 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Texas (2013–2019); El Paso City Council (2005-2011)
Notes: O'Rourke proposed a "war tax" this week aimed at helping with health care costs for veterans.

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
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.