With the 2018 midterm elections one month behind us, the 2020 presidential race is all but officially underway.
Republicans fielded 17 major candidates in the 2016 election, the most in recent memory, but the Democrats may blow that number out of the water, with up to 30 major candidates who may jump in. Democrats have been in a state of fury and panic ever since election day 2016, and their furor has intensified under the Trump presidency. They are energized, and after re-taking the House, it’s no wonder there are dozens of Democrats itching to take on President Trump in 2020.
Two minor Democrats have already started their campaigns: Congressman John Delaney of Maryland and West Virginia state senator Richard Ojeda, who just lost a bid for Congress in November. In addition, Washington Governor Jay Inslee has also formed an exploratory committee.
However, the early favorites would appear to be former Vice President Joe Biden, who recently declared himself “the most qualified person in the country to be president”; Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who nearly won the Democratic nomination in 2016; and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who has been the subject of presidential speculation for years. Senators Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) would also be in the top tier of candidates if they wanted to run. Even Congressman Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas), who spent $80 million losing a Senate race this year, and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, who narrowly lost the Florida gubernatorial race, have been the subject of 2020 buzz in the last few weeks.
It would not be surprising to see the first candidates officially declare their presidential ambitions in January. In preparation, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the many candidates over the next few weeks. Stay tuned.
Photo credit: Gage Skidmore
