2020 Democratic Presidential Nominee Weekly Power Rankings - October 3, 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:
There's actually quite a bit of primary news this week, despite the Trump Impeachment sucking all the air out of the room. Here's some bullet points:
- While Biden has dropped a bit in some recent polling, were still waiting to see how this story will impact Biden's campaign in the long term.
- Bernie Sanders was rushed to the hospital for emergency heart surgery yesterday.
- The deadline for the October 15 debate this week, and we'll have 12 candidates all taking the stage together on one night. The Top 8 listed below will be joined by Castro, Gabbard, Klobuchar, and Steyer.
- Saturday Night Live took a crack at the Democratic Primary debates, but got in some hot water for their omission of Castro.
- 3rd quarter fundraising totals are starting to come in. Sanders leads the pack so far with $25 million, but Warren and Biden have yet to announce their numbers.
1. Joe Biden
Previous Ranking: 1 (-)
Credentials: Vice President of the United States (2009–2017); U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973–2009)
Notes: For better or worse, a lot of people are talking about Biden more than ever. Republicans who are backing Trump are trying to spin the impeachment story by saying the real scandal is about Biden. Despite the fact that there is no evidence to show any wrong doing on Biden's part, some voters may fall victim to these efforts.
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 has been given a bittersweet gift in recent stories regarding Biden (Ukraine) and Sanders (heart). While they will inevitably help her, she can't use them for campaigning without looking crass.
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: Sanders looks to be doing well after surgery, but this situation unfortunately puts a spotlight on his age. At 78 years old, he is the oldest candidate in the field and would be the oldest nominee and President ever.
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 candidates have been going hard on Trump this week, but Harris lead the field by calling for Twitter to suspend Trump's account.
5. Pete Buttigieg
Previous Ranking: 5 (-)
Credentials: Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012 — Current)
6. Andrew Yang
Previous Ranking: 6 (-)
Credentials: Entrepreneur
Notes: Yang raised a staggering $10 million this past quarter, a five-fold increase from his $2 million in the second quarter.
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 had a major fundraising push at the end of the quarter after warning that he may have to drop out of the race if he couldn't hit his goal.
8. Beto O'Rourke
Previous Ranking: 8 (-)
Credentials: U.S. Representative from Texas (2013–2019); El Paso City Council (2005-2011)
Honorable Mentions, Tier 1
- Julian Castro, Former U.S. Secretary of HUD and Former Mayor of San Antonio
- Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Representative from Hawaii
- Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator from Minnesota
- Tom Steyer, Billionaire
- Marianne Williamson, Motivational Speaker & Self Help Author
Honorable Mentions, Tier 2
- Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator from Colorado
- Steve Bullock, Governor of Montana
- John Delaney, Former U.S. Representative from Maryland
- Tim Ryan, U.S. Representative from Ohio
- Joe Sestak, Former U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania
General Reference Links
- Primary Polls - https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-primaries/democratic/
- Party Endorsements - https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-endorsements/democratic-primary/
- Candidate Media Coverage - https://fivethirtyeight.com/tag/media/
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