Two years from today is Inauguration Day. In November, Politico ran a piece on 40 Democrats who will potentially seek the party’s nomination for president in 2020. I took all 40 candidates and divided them into five tiers, with eight candidates in each tier. The first tier are the candidates I think would be the best as the Democratic nominee. I do want to be clear that it is not my intention to disparage any of these candidates (except maybe a few in the bottom tier) – I think we need to unite behind our nominee and support them fully so we can get this monstrous administration out of office. This is more of an informative blog about the candidates and me stating my preference of who gets nominated. Candidates are listed alphabetically within each tier. FIRST TIER/TOP TIER Cory Booker, U.S. Senator from New Jersey (2013-present) / Mayor of Newark, NJ (2006-13) / City Councilor (1998-2002) Status – considering running I love that Booker has executive experience and legislative experience. I love that he seems hands on and accessible, and I love his optimism. I think he could definitely elevate the field. -- Sherrod Brown, U.S. Senator from Ohio (2007-present) / U.S. House of Representatives (1993-2007) / Secretary of State for Ohio (1983-91) / Ohio House of Representatives (1975-82) Status – considering running Brown has long been a favorite of mine. He’s got a consistent progressive record and strong ties to labor. Plus, four words that thrill me – First Lady Connie Schultz. -- Hillary Clinton, Democratic Party Nominee for President (2016) / U.S. Secretary of State (2009-13) / U.S. Senator from New York (2001-09) / U.S. First Lady (1993-2001) Status – not running She’s not running, but the media can’t help itself when it comes to her. We missed the opportunity of a lifetime not having her as president. Fun fact – Hillary Clinton, despite what the media says about her likability and political skills – has never lost the popular vote in any election she’s run. She’s also been Gallup’s Most Admired Woman in the World a record 22 times. -- Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles, CA (2013-present) / President of Los Angeles City Council (2006-12) / City Councilor (2001-13) Status – considering running Garcetti has been impressive as the mayor of the country’s second most populous city. He has been particularly successful on initiatives and issues pertaining to climate change, the environment, homelessness, and veterans. -- Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator from New York (2009-present) / U.S. House of Representatives (2007-09) Status – announced exploratory committee January 15, 2019 Sen. Gillibrand has been one of my favorite senators since her appointment in 2009. She’s been one of the best LGBTQ+ allies and helped lead the charge to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. She also has the most anti-tr*mp voting record out of all 100 U.S. senators. She’s definitely an early favorite of mine. -- Kamala Harris, U.S. Senator from California (2017-present) / Attorney General for California (2011-17) / District Attorney for San Francisco (2004-11) Status – considering running; announcement expected imminently Sen. Harris is relatively new on the national stage, but she’s quickly made a name for herself. She’s been superb at questioning this administration’s nominees and trying to thwart them. She’s been strong on issues of immigration and I really look forward to seeing her platform. She’s also an early favorite of mine. -- Tim Kaine, Democratic Party Nominee for Vice President (2016) / U.S. Senator from Virginia (2013-present) / Democratic Party Chairman (2009-11) / Governor of Virginia (2006-10) / Lt. Governor of Virginia (2002-06) / Mayor of Richmond, VA (1998-2001) Status – not running Sen. Kaine seems to have ruled out a run in 2020. He has one of the most impressive resumes of the potential candidates and a solid record of progressive achievements. He would have made an excellent Vice President. -- Terry McAuliffe, Governor of Virginia (2014-18) / National Governors Association Chairman (2016-17) / Democratic Party Chairman (2001-05) Status – considering running During his tenure in office, McAuliffe was one of the most progressive governors in the country. He began his term in office by signing executive orders expanding LGBTQ+ rights and establishing tougher ethics rules concerning gifts to government officials. He also restored voting rights to over 200,000 disenfranchised convicted felons. SECOND TIER Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York (2011-present) / Attorney General of New York (2007-10) / U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (1997-2001) Status – not running Gov. Cuomo has made great advances for LGBTQ+ persons and women during his tenure as governor of New York. He’s also been a leader on gun safety measures. -- John Hickenlooper, Governor of Colorado (2011-19) / Nation Governors Association Chairman (2014-15) / Mayor of Denver (2003-11) Status – considering running Hickenlooper also has a strong record on gun safety issues as well as a progressive record on capital punishment. -- Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General (2009-15) / U.S. Deputy Attorney General (1997-2001) / U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. (1993-97) / Judge of the Superior Court of Washington, D.C. (1988-93) Holder has a great record on issues of civil rights and voting rights. I’m definitely intrigued by a potential Holder candidacy, and would love to see his platform. His biggest drawback is never having been elected to office. -- Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington (2013-present) / U.S. House of Representatives (1993-95, 1999-2012) / Washington House of Representatives (1989-93) Status – exploratory committee formed on January 2, 2019 Inslee is not well known nationally, but has a strong progressive track record in Washington, including overseeing the expansion of marriage equality and a moratorium on capital punishment. Inslee plans to emphasize climate change in his bid for the presidency. -- John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State (2013-17) / Democratic Party Nominee for President (2004) / U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (1985-2013) / Lt. Governor of Massachusetts (1983-85) Status – not running There was speculation that Kerry would make a second run for the White House, but he appears to have ruled it out. He’s certainly got an impressive resume. -- Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2007-present) / County Attorney for Hennepin County, MN (1999-2007) Status – considering running Sen. Klobuchar has quietly been raising her national profile over the last few years. She’s taken a lead on voter security and fighting foreign interference in U.S. elections. -- Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts (2007-15) / U.S. Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division (1994-97) Status – not running Despite the urging of many in President Barack Obama’s inner circle, Patrick announced in late 2018 that he would not seek the presidency. -- Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator (2013-present) / Special Advisor for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2010-11) / Congressional Oversight Panel Chairwoman (2008-10) Status – announced exploratory committee on December 31, 2018 Warren has been a progressive favorite since she launched her U.S. Senate campaign in 2011. I’m looking forward to seeing her expand her platform beyond economic issues, and I’ve been thrilled to hear her speak about racial inequality as she begins her campaign. THIRD TIER Steve Bullock, Governor of Montana (2013-present) / National Governors Association Chairman (2018-present) / Attorney General of Montana (2009-13) Status – considering running Considering Montana’s tendency to be more of a red state, Bullock has a surprisingly progressive record. He’s particularly focused on getting money out of politics and has actively fought against the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United since his term as attorney general. He’s certainly an intriguing candidate to watch. -- Julián Castro, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2014-17) / Mayor of San Antonio (2009-14) / City Councilor (2001-05) Status – announced candidacy on January 12, 2019 Castro would probably be in a higher tier if he had a little more experience. I’m definitely open to supporting him and look forward to hearing his plans. I like his record so far. -- Joe Kennedy, III, U.S. House of Representatives (2013-present) Status – not running After his response to the State of the Union address in 2018, speculation arose that Kennedy would seek the presidency. He has not commented recently, but appears to have ruled it out. -- Mitch Landrieu, Mayor of New Orleans (2010-18) / President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (2017-18) / Lt. Governor of Louisiana (2004-10) / Louisiana House of Representatives (1988-2004) Status – considering running Landrieu is most well known outside of Louisiana for removing Confederate monuments from New Orleans while mayor. He’s someone that I am interested in hearing more from. -- Martin O’Malley, Governor of Maryland (2007-15) / Mayor of Baltimore (1999-2007) Status – not running O’Malley recently announced he wouldn’t seek the presidency again in 2020. Look for him to support younger male candidates – specifically the next candidate below. -- Beto O’Rourke, U.S. House of Representatives (2013-19) / City Councilor from El Paso, TX (2005-11) Status – considering running O’Rourke performed well in the U.S. Senate race in Texas in 2018, and his strong showing propelled him nationally. Combine that with the fact that he’s a fresh face, younger, and a man – pundits were quick to tout him as a national candidate. I hope he’ll mount another Senate campaign in 2020 – this time against John Cornyn. -- Mark Warner, U.S. Senator from Virginia (2009-present) / Governor of Virginia (2002-06) / National Governors Association Chairman (2004-05) Status – not running Warner appears to be running for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2020. He has been a leader as the Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election. -- Oprah Winfrey Status – not running Of all the non-politicians Politico mentioned in their article, Oprah is the most intriguing to me. She’d certainly rally a strong base, and has the most experience of anyone not in elected office. She has stated multiple times that she will not be a candidate. FOURTH TIER Joe Biden, U.S. Vice President (2009-17) / U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973-2009) City Councilor from New Castle, DE (1970-72) Status – considering running Biden is widely expected to seek the presidency for a third time in 2020 – despite his previous poor showings in 1988, 2008, and in 2016 when he eventually declined to run. -- Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City (2002-13) Status – considering running Bloomberg can’t seem to decide which party he is in. He’s got a decent record on social issues, but not so strong on economic issues. -- John Delaney, U.S. House of Representatives (2013-19) Status – announced candidacy on July 28, 2017 Delaney hasn’t done much to distinguish himself among a large field of candidates, and seems to be banking on being able to attack his way to the top. -- Jeff Merkley, U.S. Senator from Oregon (2009-present) / Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives (2007-09) / Oregon House of Representatives (1999-2009) Status – considering running Merkley has been persistent in fighting the current administration’s cruel immigration and detention policies. One red flag is that he is the only Democratic U.S. senator to endorse someone other than Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. -- Tim Ryan, U.S. House of Representatives (2003-present) Ohio Senate (2001-02) Status – considering running Ryan once had a lot of potential and was until recently seen as a rising star. However, he made the decision in 2016 and 2018 to take on and try to defeat Nancy Pelosi, which has alienated many in the Democratic Party. -- Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator from Vermont (2007-present) / U.S. House of Representatives (1991-2007) / Mayor of Burlington, VT (1981-89) Status – considering running Sanders’s problematic positions on gun safety and immigration are what have him so low on my list – along with his consistent disparaging remarks about the Democratic Party and its base. He has a major blind spot when it comes to issues of social justice and equality. -- Tom Steyer Status – not running Billionaire philanthropist and environmental activist Tom Steyer announced he will not run for president and will instead focus his money and energy on the impeachment of tr*mp. -- Eric Swalwell, U.S. House of Representatives (2013-present) Status – considering running Swalwell hasn’t done much in his short tenure in the U.S. House to distinguish himself among a large crop of candidates. He’s good on the issues, but relatively inexperienced and would need to really step up to become a front-runner in the race. FIFTH TIER/BOTTOM TIER Michael Avenatti Status – not running Luckily Avenatti announced he would not run for the presidency. If you’re lucky enough to not know who he is, you’re probably better off. -- Pete Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend, IN (2012-present) Status – considering running Buttigieg is the openly gay mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and sought the chairmanship of the Democratic Party in 2017. Instead of making a long-shot bid at the presidency, I'm hopeful he will run for governor of Indiana in 2020. -- Mark Cuban Status – considering running I feel like we should have learned our lesson by now that wealth and notoriety are not enough to be a successful president. Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. House of Representatives (2013-present) / City Councilor for Honolulu, HI (2012-11) / Hawaii House of Representatives (2002-04) Status – announced candidacy on January 11, 2019 Gabbard has a severely anti-LGBTQ+ record, and a history of praising brutal dictators such as Syria’s Bashar al-Assad. -- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Status – considering running See above comments for Mark Cuban. -- Seth Moulton, (U.S. House of Representatives (2015-present) Status – considering running Moulton is basically a Tim Ryan clone without as much experience. -- Richard Ojeda, West Virginia Senate (2016-19) Status – announced candidacy on November 12, 2018 Ojeda supported Bernie Sanders in the 2016 primary, and then switched his support to tr*mp once Sanders lost the nomination. He has bragged that he’s never voted for a Democratic candidate for president. -- Howard Schultz Status – considering running Schultz served as the CEO for Starbucks for 25 years. While he’s certainly been a successful CEO, his political stances are not as admirable. He’s recently been in the news for considering a run as an independent candidate in 2020 – a move that would hurt Democrats. If he’s truly interesting in making good chance, he’ll support the Democratic Party’s nominee in 2020.
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