Running List of Declared 2020 Democratic Presidential Candidates

William Haskins

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Officially Declared or Has Formed Exploratory Committee

Corey Booker
(announced 2/1/19)
https://corybooker.com/
U.S. Senator from New Jersey (2013–present)
Mayor of Newark (2006–2013)On the Issues:
http://www.ontheissues.org/Cory_Booker.htm
Follow the Money:
https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00035267


Pete Buttigieg
(formed exploratory committee 1/23/19)
https://www.peteforamerica.com/

Mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012–present)
On the Issues:
https://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/127151/pete-buttigieg/
Follow the Money:
https://www.opensecrets.org/news/tag/pete-buttigieg/



Julián Castro
(announced 1/12/19)
https://www.julianforthefuture.com/
U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2014–2017)
Mayor of San Antonio, Texas (2009–2014)
On the Issues:
http://www.ontheissues.org/Julian_Castro.htm
Follow the Money:
https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00033316


John Delaney
(announced 7/28/17)
https://www.johnkdelaney.com/
U.S. Representative from MD-06 (2013–2019)
On the Issues:
http://www.ontheissues.org/house/John_Delaney.htm
Follow the Money:
https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00033897


Tulsi Gabbard
(announced 1/11/19)
https://www.tulsi2020.com/
U.S. Representative from HI-02 since 2013
On the Issues:
http://www.ontheissues.org/house/tulsi_gabbard.htm
Follow the Money:
https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00033281


Kirsten Gillibrand
(formed exploratory committee 1/15/19; announced 3/17/19)
https://kirstengillibrand.com/

U.S. Senator from New York (2009–present)
U.S. Representative from NY-20 (2007–2009)
On the Issues:
http://www.ontheissues.org/NY/Kirsten_Gillibrand.htm
Follow the Money:
https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00027658



Kamala Harris
(announced 1/21/19)
https://kamalaharris.org/
U.S. Senator from California (2017–present)
Attorney General of California (2011–2017)
Attorney General of San Francisco (2004-2011)
On the Issues:
http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Kamala_Harris.htm
Follow the Money:
https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00036915


John Hickenlooper (announced 3/4/19)
https://www.hickenlooper.com/
Governor of Colorado (2011–2019)
Mayor of Denver (2003–2011)
On the Issues:
http://www.ontheissues.org/john_hickenlooper.htm
Follow the Money:
https://www.opensecrets.org/news/tag/john-hickenlooper/

Jay Inslee
(announced 3/1/19)
https://www.jayinslee.com/
Governor of Washington (2013–present)
U.S. Representative from WA-01 (1999–2012)
U.S. Representative from WA-04 (1993–1995)
On the Issues:
http://www.ontheissues.org/Jay_Inslee.htm
Follow the Money:
https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00001725


Amy Klobuchar
(announced 2/10/19)
https://amyklobuchar.com/
U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2007–present)
On the Issues:
http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Amy_Klobuchar.htm
Follow the Money:
https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00027500

Wayne Messam (formed exploratory committee 3/13/19)
http://www.waynemessam.com/
Mayor of Miramar, Florida (2015–present)
On the Issues
https://www.axios.com/wayne-messam-...ate-3f48d5f6-1ede-4a2a-8f40-51b79ee450ce.html

Richard Ojeda
(announced 11/11/18)
(Campaign suspended on 1/25/19)
https://voteojeda.com/
West Virginia State Senator (2016–2019)
Democratic nominee for U.S. Representative from WV-03 in 2018
Campaign Themes:

https://ballotpedia.org/Richard_Ojeda#Campaign_themes
Follow the Money:
https://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary?cycle=2018&id=WV03


Beto O'Rourke (announced 3/14/19)
https://betoorourke.com/
U.S. Representative from TX-16 (2013–2019)
Democratic nominee for United States Senator from Texas in 2018
On the Issues:
http://www.ontheissues.org/TX/Beto_O`Rourke.htm
Follow the Money:
https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00033540


Bernie Sanders

https://berniesanders.com/
U.S. Senator from Vermont (2007–present)
U.S. Representative from VT-AL (1991–2007)
Mayor of Burlington, Vermont (1981–1989) On the Issues:
http://www.ontheissues.org/house/Bernie_Sanders.htm
Follow the Money:https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00000528


Elizabeth Warren
(formed exploratory committee 12/31/18; announced 2/9/19)
https://elizabethwarren.com/
U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (2013–present)
On the Issues:
http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/elizabeth_warren.htm
Follow the Money:
https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/summary?cid=N00033492


Andrew Yang
(announced 11/6/17)
https://www.yang2020.com/
Founder of Venture for America
Platform:
https://www.yang2020.com/policies/
Follow the Money:
https://www.opensecrets.org/2020-presidential-race
 
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AstronautMikeDexter

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Ugh, Tulsi Gabbard.

Other than her, I'm glad it's going to be a crowded field. Hopefully that prevents pitting two people against each other leaving residual feelings once someone gets the ticket. Plus, all of the differing ideas will hopefully help build a solid progressive platform.
 

cornflake

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Ugh, Tulsi Gabbard.

Other than her, I'm glad it's going to be a crowded field. Hopefully that prevents pitting two people against each other leaving residual feelings once someone gets the ticket. Plus, all of the differing ideas will hopefully help build a solid progressive platform.

Why ugh Gabbard?
 

AstronautMikeDexter

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Why ugh Gabbard?

Personally, I'm not a fan of some of the things she's said and done.

1. I don't care for her homophobic views. A lot of what was pointed out in the article is from a while ago so, sure, maybe it can be reasoned she's evolved. Except at the end of that article it's noted: "A 2016 profile of the combat veteran published in Ozy suggests otherwise: “She tells me that, no, her personal views haven’t changed, but she doesn’t figure it’s her job to do as the Iraqis did and force her own beliefs on others,” noted reporter Sanjena Sathian." I find that problematic and I would never want to feel like I had to vote for someone who felt that way in this day and age.

2. I think her recent op-ed accusing fellow Democrats of "religious bigotry" is out of line, misses the point, and reads like one long conservative talking point.

3. https://thehill.com/policy/defense/229845-gop-lawmaker-islamic-extremists-at-war-with-us

4. https://twitter.com/TulsiGabbard/status/649615636088365058

She's popular with a lot of people but I just don't care for her.
 

Roxxsmom

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I agree with you about Gabbard. It's laudable she doesn't want to enforce her homophobic views on others, but surely the Democratic Party can do better than that. I'd hope any Democratic POTUS would go beyond simple "tolerance" and actively embrace equality.

Has Yang ever held elected office? I can't say I'm terribly impressed with someone (as a candidate for POTUS) whose claim to fame is a founder of a platform, even if it's an important one. I want to see someone with legislative experience at the national level and/or executive experience at the state level. Trump is possibly the worst example possible, but we've seen over and over (and not just in the US) what happens when someone who has no understanding of the inner workings of government boldly claims he/she can use other skills they possess to enact change. It doesn't seem to end well very often.

I do give Kudos to Yang for talking about an issue few, if any, candidates have taken very seriously--the loss of jobs to technology. Hopefully his presence will stimulate more viable candidates to discuss this issue and brainstorm solutions to this problem that go beyond simply pushing for "more STEM education."

Anyway, this is very early, and one thing past elections have taught us is that long lists of candidates narrow down once (and even before) active campaigning starts. Who knows which, if any, of these will be able to raise enough money, let alone gain traction with potential backers and voters. Plus, early front runners in crowded fields don't always emerge triumphant (as Gary Hart, Howard Dean, John Edwards, newt Gingrich etc have shown us). I am guessing that the initial field of Democratic candidates will be very crowded, but they will winnow down quickly once their feet are to the fire.
 
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ChloeRose

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Decision based on best candidate or the candidate with the best chance of winning?
 

BenPanced

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Mind, I don't support her but this article about Gabbard reads like so much clickbait pointing back at how Clinton personally oversaw all efforts to destroy Sanders. At least, that's how I saw it.

I'm going to bow out of this discussion for the rest of the year. Everybody's pinning their hopes on their one person too much and too early; it reminds me of a Peanuts comic where Violet and Charlie Brown are talking about bowling. Violet says, "My dad thought he had a perfect 300 game going last night but he got so excited, he blew the second frame." Let's not blow the second frame, guys.
 

Introversion

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Everybody's pinning their hopes on their one person too much and too early

I'm not expecting a savior. I'd be happy with a competent president who was at least moderately liberal, and not a likely felon working on behalf of hostile foreign powers. I realize I may be setting the bar too high. :tongue
 

lizmonster

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My plan is to research the hell out of people during the primaries, and vote for who I personally would like to see win.

And then when a candidate is chosen, I'll vote for them. Even Bernie Sanders.
 

nighttimer

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The 2020 presidential campaign only seems early. I'm glad to see so many qualified candidates already putting a toe in the water. It's way too soon for me to think about getting behind any candidate. I watched Elizabeth Warren's exploratory committee announcement and it was perfectly fine. Didn't make me like her more and didn't make me like her any less. It was fine.

Some will run not because they expect to win the nomination, but they will raise their national profile significantly. Some will grab a few minutes on TV. Some will use a presidential run they can't possibly win as a springboard to another political office they have a better shot at. Some are running to merit consideration for the eventual nominee as their vice-president or a position in their new Cabinet.

Should be interested to see what direction these candidates want to take the nation as an alternative to Donald Trump. I'll be watching with great interest. :chores
 

Scribhneoir

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Kamala Harris has made it official. From an e-mail I received as a constituent:

I want you to hear the news from me, Jo -- this morning, I launched my campaign for President of the United States.
 

BenPanced

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I'm originally from South Bend, moving away in 1987, so Mr. Buttigieg's election and later marriage to his husband were an absolute shock. Of course, having lived in the area for the first 23 years of my life, the comments weren't; he was elected, he got gaymarried, and the city was destroyed by a plague of fire and frogs called forth by Touchdown Jesus himself on the campus of Notre Dame University. Well, that last one might be a slight exaggeration.
 

MichaelC

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My plan is to research the hell out of people during the primaries, and vote for who I personally would like to see win.

And then when a candidate is chosen, I'll vote for them. Even Bernie Sanders.

I wish more people paid attention to primaries. That's really where you can "make a difference." No one votes in the primaries and then people complaint that there are no good choices. The party hacks with the most money win the primaries because no one promotes them.
 

cornflake

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Can't wait for the drama when he gets to a state fair-type event and doesn't eat meat.
 

cbenoi1

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How many billions do you think those candidates will collectively spend on the campaign trail for the next year or so?

Heck, might as well give Trump his damned wall...

-cb
 

Kjbartolotta

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Can't wait for the drama when he gets to a state fair-type event and doesn't eat meat.

Not gonna post rando scuttlebutt tweets, but sounds like it's already starting. I'm sure there will also be pearl-clutching over a bachelor in the White House. ('He's unmarried!? That degrades the dignity of the office!')

I like Cory. Still wish Duckworth would run, waiting on the Klob and sorta wouldn't hate Jeff Merkley or Sheldon Whitehouse in the mix. And I doubt I'll be voting for Buttigieg this time around, but dude's playing the long game and I am hella digging him.