2020 Democratic Presidential Nominee Weekly Power Rankings - August 7, 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:

Mike Gravel ended his odd campaign and endorsed Bernie Sanders, but the big story dominating this week is the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton. As you may expect, the candidates weighed in, focusing on the issues of gun control and Trump's actions on immigration.

1. Joe Biden

Previous Ranking: 1 (-)
Credentials: Vice President of the United States (2009–2017); U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973–2009)

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 is losing some ground in national polls, but she's still solid in early state polls.

3. Bernie Sanders

Previous Ranking: 4 (+1)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Vermont (2007–Current); U.S. Representative from Vermont (1991–2007); Mayor of Burlington, Vermont (1981–1989)
Notes: Sanders overtakes Harris thanks to some consistent polling over the past few weeks. It doesn't hurt that he actually had a good debate performance last week, whereas Harris got as little beat up at the debate.

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 is starting to poll weaker in the early state polls, and Tulsi Gabbard has been using their debate exchange in her online adverts.

5. Pete Buttigieg

Previous Ranking: 5 (-)
Credentials: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012 — Current)   

6. Cory Booker

Previous Ranking: 7 (+1)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from New Jersey (2013-Present); Mayor of Newark, NJ (2006-2013); Newark City Council (1998-2002)

7. Beto O'Rourke

Previous Ranking: 6 (-1)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Texas (2013–2019); El Paso City Council (2005-2011)
Notes: O'Rourke probably made the most news out of all the candidates in regards to the shootings. One of the incidents was in his hometown of El Paso, and Beto had some expletive-laden words for President Trump when asked by a reporter.

8. Julian Castro

Previous Ranking: 8 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2014-2017); Mayor of San Antonio (2009-2014)

9. Amy Klobuchar

Previous Ranking: 9 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2007-Present)

10. Andrew Yang

Previous Ranking: 10 (-)
Credentials: Entrepreneur

Honorable Mentions

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
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
Seth Moulton, U.S. Representative from Massachusetts
Tim Ryan, U.S. Representative from Ohio
Joe Sestak, Former U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania
Tom Steyer, Billionaire
Marianne Williamson, Motivational Speaker & Self Help Author

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