“Looks like we made it; look how far we’ve come my baby.” - Shania Twain
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Here we are -- mere moments away from the Iowa caucuses. If it seems like this has been the longest presidential primary season ever, that’s because technically it has been. Congressman John Delaney, who represented Maryland’s 6th Congressional District from 2013-2019, announced he was running for president on July 28, 2017 -- 1,194 days before the general election (November 3, 2020). That is the earliest announcement on record in the modern day primary system. Almost two and a half years later, and almost two and a half dozen candidates later, 11 major candidates remain in the race. Delaney isn’t one of them. Two of them, Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, are polling below one percent nationally and in all four of the early primary/caucus states. So, for the Iowa overview, I will only be profiling the top nine candidates.

I’ll give a little overview of the Iowa caucuses, a little write up of the remaining major candidates, my prediction of what happens tonight, and my endorsement.

The Iowa Caucuses: A Brief History

The modern day primary system began with the 1976 election cycle. Jimmy Carter, who had served as governor of Georgia from 1971-1975, took advantage of the new system and campaigned in the early states, mainly Iowa, which led to him placing higher than any other candidate in the caucuses (second only to “uncommitted”). This surprised many pundits and led to an explosion of media coverage for Carter, who used the momentum to rack up wins in 30 states/territories. He easily won the Democratic Party’s nomination on the first ballot at the 1976 Democratic National Convention, with over 70 percent of the delegates, and then went on to win the presidency in the general election.

The purpose of the modern day primary system is to allow for more participation -- a more democratic process. The proverbial smoke filled back rooms are how party nominees had typically been chosen before the system overhaul. However, there are still states, such as Iowa, that use undemocratic caucuses instead of primary elections. Caucuses generally have significantly lower turnout than primaries and tend to disenfranchise the disabled, elderly, and others due to their rigid scheduled structure.

Washington state’s results in the 2016 cycle show just how undemocratic caucuses can be. Washington held a caucus on March 26, 2016. Roughly 230,000 people participated -- former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received 27 percent of the vote and Sen. Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, received just under 73 percent of the vote. On May 24, 2016, Washington held a nonbinding primary (meaning all delegates to the Democratic National Convention were awarded based on results from the caucuses) -- there were over 800,000 voters. Clinton won 52-48. When one compares the number of participants from the caucuses to the primary in Washington, it’s apparent that Clinton won the race that had a much larger turnout, yet Sanders won the pledged delegate race 74 to 27 -- all because his supporters tended to be more affluent and privileged, therefore able to attend caucuses. Clinton’s supporters tended to be those who were unable to attend a caucus site due to disability, lack of childcare, work schedule, etc. Talk about a rigged system!

The Remaining Democratic Candidates

Eleven major candidates remain in the race to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for president in 2020. Here is a look at the top nine candidates. They are listed in order of most to least likely to be the nominee (based on current polling averages).

Joe Biden: Vice-President (2009-2017), U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973-2009) / Candidate for President in 1988 and 2008 / Age 77

Bernie Sanders: U.S. Senator from Vermont (2007-Present), U.S. Representative from VT-AL (1991-1989), Mayor of Burlington, VT (1981-1989)  / Candidate for President in 2016 / Age 78

Elizabeth Warren: U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (2013-Present) / Age 70

Pete Buttigieg: Mayor of South Bend, IN (2012-2020) / Age 38

Amy Klobuchar: U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2007-Present) / Age 59

Tom Steyer: No previous political service / Age 62

Michael Bloomberg: Mayor of New York City, NY (2002-2013) / Age 77

Andrew Yang: No previous political service / Age 45

Tulsi Gabbard: U.S. Representative from HI-02 (2013-Present) / Age 38

2020 Predictions

Iowa caucuses begin tonight at 7:00 Central Standard Time. Because of their complicated nature, they are notoriously hard to predict. For example, the Iowa caucuses have a viability threshold -- it varies from precinct to precinct depending on the number of delegates the precinct has. At most sites, the threshold is 15 percent. This means that after caucus participants sort into groups for their candidate, once the initial tally is recorded, any person caucusing for a candidate with less than the threshold must either convince other participants to join them to make their candidate viable, choose another candidate, or choose not to participate. This next step is called realignment. This is why a person’s second choice can be crucial during the process. After realignment, each precinct records the official results. The link provided above offers a more detailed explanation of the proceedings. 

Tonight, most news outlets including The New York Times will be reporting four different results. This is complicated even for seasoned political junkies, so the average American may be quite confused.

Most of this is taken directly from The New York Times:

The state delegate equivalents, a measure reflecting a precinct’s vote at final alignment (after caucusgoers whose initial candidate didn’t meet a minimum reallocate themselves). The candidate with the most state delegate equivalents has traditionally been declared the winner of the Iowa caucuses, and in 2020 The New York Times, along with most news media organizations, will again characterize the candidate with the most state delegate equivalents as the winner. (My predictions are based off of this count.)

The pledged delegate count is awarded based on the number of state delegate equivalents won by each candidate statewide and by congressional district. (This is what ultimately matters -- delegates -- to win the nomination at the convention, a candidate needs a majority of the delegates.)

Historically, those two counts are all that were reported -- and even this year they are what count in terms of who wins and who is awarded delegates. But for the first time, the Iowa Democratic Party is making data available from other steps of the precinct caucuses.

The first alignment reflects the first preference of caucusgoers when they arrive at their precinct. (This really won’t mean much, but whoever “wins” this will certainly try to spin it to their advantage.)

The final alignment reflects the preference of caucusgoers after the supporters of nonviable candidates have an opportunity to realign with candidates who remain viable in their precinct. Usually, a candidate needs 15 percent in a precinct to be viable.

So, what’s going to happen? Here’s my best guess:

1st = Bernie Sanders / 28%
2nd = Joe Biden / 24%
3rd = Elizabeth Warren / 20%
4th = Pete Buttigieg / 18%
5th = Amy Klobuchar / 7%

All others one percent or less

I base this on polling, ground game, and gut instinct. Honestly, I hope I’m wrong. More on that…

My Endorsement

This primary season has been rough for a lot of us. I think there are a number of reasons. First, 2016 was so momentous -- not only did Hillary Clinton make history by being the first woman ever nominated for president by a major party, she was also uniquely qualified and had such overwhelming experience for the job. She was (and still is) beloved by her supporters, and after the way the general election played out -- Russian interference, voter suppression, etc. -- the fact that she got 3 million more votes and still was denied the presidency was brutal. It’s even worse because of the vileness that occupies the White House. I know I speak for millions when I say we will never get over this loss and the thought of the great things we could have achieved. We should be working towards her re-election.

The length of this primary and the number of contestants also made it exhausting. We continued to see more racism and sexism in the way candidates were treated and the media seemed not to learn any lessons from 2016. We watched as numerous well qualified progressives like Cory Booker, Julián Castro, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Kamala Harris were forced out of the race while mediocre white men were amplified. To say it’s been disheartening is an understatement.

There are still good candidates in the race, and I firmly believe it is imperative to defeat this current administration -- we have to support and unite behind the Democratic Party’s nominee to ensure victory. It is totally fine to have our preferences, and I’m about to explain mine, but we cannot have the division and infighting that certain candidates tend to exacerbate. 

Since Harris dropped out of the race in early December, I’ve been unsure of who I would vote for in Alabama’s primary on March 3. I have finally made my decision, and I plan to vote for Elizabeth Warren.

Elizabeth Warren for President

I want a president who is smart, progressive, and willing to fight for what’s right and what’s important. I want a president who is a policy wonk and is passionate about the details. Elizabeth Warren fits that description.

My biggest struggle with Warren is that I think she would make a much better president than a Democratic nominee. This isn’t necessarily because of policy -- I agree with her on most major policy points. She was too quick to try to jump on the Bernie Sanders bandwagon, a mistake too many in the Democratic Party have made. His most ardent supporters cannot be appeased and their goal is dismantling the Democratic Party rather than defeating Republicans. 

In the leadup to the 2016 general election, I thought she made a major mistake by supporting the thoroughly preposterous conspiracy theory that the Democratic primary process was “rigged” in favor of Hillary Clinton. I’m happy to see she now agrees with the evidence and facts -- that the primary process was fair.

Warren’s Medicare for All healthcare plan initially lacked specifics, though she was held to a much higher standard on this issue than her male counterparts. I think her calls for a moratorium on donors getting ambassadorships and her eschewing of certain fundraising practices are misguided and weaken her campaign and potentially a Warren administration. She seemed to come to social justice issues late, but has put forth comprehensive policy proposals to improve the lives of those who need it the most, and she seems sincerely passionate about these causes now.

The things that impress me most about Warren are her commitment to listening and engaging with voters, her detailed platform, and her knowledge of economic policy. I think she understands the plight of middle class and working class families, and advocates for policies that would vastly improve our lives. Her student loan debt plan is a specific highlight that I think would provide immense relief for millions of people while also invigorating the economy. She has also adopted Kirsten Gillibrand’s paid family leave plan which would also be life changing particularly for caretakers and parents.

Amy Klobuchar has a solid infrastructure platform and seems to take Russian interference and election security most seriously. She has a proven track record of getting legislation passed throughout her years in the U.S. Senate. Her healthcare and student loan policies are not as progressive as Warren’s and I don’t like some of the rhetoric she uses, but I do understand her pragmatism and not wanting to over promise anything. I also have concerns about her behavior and treatment of staff, though I can’t help but wonder if media coverage regarding the incidents were magnified due to her gender.

Joe Biden certainly has a breadth of experience and knowledge. He has a tendency to be gaffe prone, speaking off the cuff, but I don’t think he would be rash in his actual decision making in office. I can also see a case being made to coalesce behind Biden due to his polling in head to head matchups for the general election, and he may be the best candidate to stop Sanders.

Michael Bloomberg was a decent mayor and is strong on a number of issues such as climate change, gun safety, and healthcare. His record when it comes to people of color and women are concerning.

Tom Steyer is basically a more progressive version of Bloomberg without the political experience. I don’t like the idea of billionaires being able to buy their way into the presidency.

I am thrilled to see an openly gay, married man running for president, and I think Pete Buttigieg deserves some credit for putting himself out there. His record as mayor troubles me along with his lack of support among people of color -- which seems to be warranted based on his record. I also don’t think being the mayor of a city with 100,000 people is necessarily enough experience to run the entire country.

Any of those candidates would be immensely better than what we have now and I will work as hard as I can to ensure one of them wins the presidency.

I consider both Tulsi Gabbard and Andrew Yang fringe candidates, and it saddens me that they made it this far in the primary process. They both lack the experience necessary and their policy platforms as a whole are not that progressive and show their lack of experience and knowledge.

It is my hope that tonight, Bernie Sanders will do much worse than expected. I think now is the time to stop his candidacy. He has spent the last five decades denouncing the Democratic Party. He employs and surrounds himself with highly problematic people with appalling records and rhetoric when it comes to LGBTQ+ people, people of color, women, etc. He doesn’t have the track record of working with others in Congress to get things done, and I believe he would be a drag on the ticket in down ballot races. His hypocrisy and self-appointed savior role is cult-like to me, and I think it’s dangerous for the country and the party.

Those are the reasons I plan to vote for Elizabeth Warren on March 3, 2020, and hope to do so again on November 3, 2020.

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
 
Status – considering running
 
See above comments for Mark Cuban.
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Seth Moulton, (U.S. House of Representatives (2015-present)
 
Status – considering running
 
Moulton is basically a Tim Ryan clone without as much experience.
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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.
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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.