Who is running for president in 2020? Donald Trump, and these 24 Democrats
By
Emily Olson and
Peter Marsh
Updated 3 Jun 2019, 9:50am
INFOGRAPHIC: The twenty-four Democratic presidential candidates running in 2020. (Reuters)
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The Democrats lining up to take on Donald Trump are smashing records.
They comprise the most racially diverse field, the field with the most female candidates, the only field to include an openly gay candidate in the top contenders.
And, no surprise here, the field contains the greatest number of candidates known to date. At the date of publication, 24 Democrats had officially raised their hands to run.
We're here with a cheat sheet to try and help you make sense of the massive 2020 field. How will we separate the wheat from the chaff?
There are just 20 spots for the debates, and the Democratic National Committee offers only two paths for getting to the stage:
- Breaking 1 per cent in three polls approved by the DNC
- Tallying 65,000 unique campaign donors, with at least 200 of those donors coming from different states.
It's not a perfect system, but with a field this large and a race in the early stages, we'll use these criteria as a way to see where a candidate stands in relation to the others.
The frontrunners
These candidates have qualified for the debates on BOTH criteria:
Who is he?
The 76-year-old is the former vice-president of the United States and before that, US senator from Delaware. Mr Biden boasts one of the longest resumes of anyone the in 2020 race with a national political career spanning more than 45 years.
Mr Biden previously ran for president in 1988 and 2008 before becoming former US president Barack Obama's running mate.
His 2020 campaign launch has not been without controversy, with Biden forced to address allegations from eight women that he had touched them inappropriately.
He's also had to answer questions over his role in the case of Anita Hill, the woman who accused Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment in 1991.
What's his platform?
PHOTO: The picture former US vice president Joe Biden used to launch his Instagram account in 2014. (Instagram: vp44)
Mr Biden launched his campaign by invoking the 2017 violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, and President Donald Trump's response to it. The message was clear: I'm not Donald Trump.
His campaign is so far light on policy beyond broad statements about rebuilding the middle class, protecting voting rights and demonstrating leadership on the world stage. Mr Biden is a moderate, and is considered to be close to the Democratic Party establishment.
How will I remember him?
He probably won't wear them on the debate stage, but look out for Mr Biden's signature aviator sunglasses on the campaign trial. The shades, which he claims to have worn since he was 15, have become such an integral part of the Biden brand t
hat the former Vice President claims people keep stealing them for souvenirs.
Who is he?
Senator from New Jersey and the former mayor of Newark known for personally responding to constituents' problems on Twitter. The 50-year-old became a high-profile Democrat even before announcing his run for president, but hasn't managed to turn that profile into a strong position in early opinion polls.
What's his platform?
With one of the most progressive voting records among Democratic senators, Senator Booker sits squarely in the progressive arm of the party.
A big supporter of criminal justice reform, he's a co-sponsor on the Green New Deal and a proposal for Medicare for All and has introduced bills to legalise marijuana.
How will I remember him?
When he was mayor, he
once saved his neighbour from her burning home. Really.
He's got a bit of a habit of doing extracurricular stuff like this, to the point it spawned the #CoryBookerStories hashtag on Twitter.
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Who is he?
The gay,
37-year-old Mayor of a 100,000-person town in South Bend, Indiana. Former president Barack Obama once said Mr Buttigieg was the future of the Democratic party.
Mr Buttigieg (pronounced "Boot-edge-edge") is currently Mayor of South Bend, and has been credited with revitalising the Midwestern city's crumbling infrastructure and economy. He took leave from his mayoral term to serve in Afghanistan.
PHOTO: A t-shirt from the campaign website of Pete Buttigieg explaining how to pronounce his name. (PeteForAmerica.com)
Originally thought to be the underdog, "Mayor Pete" is quickly gaining popularity. He's added 10 percentage points since March and raised a surprising $US 7 million ($10 million) in the first fundraising quarter.
What's his platform?
Mr Buttigieg doesn't have much of a national policy platform yet. Some say he's a moderate, but he also says he'll consider the more radical ideas on the table.
Notably, he's come out in favour of expanding the number of Supreme Court justices from nine to 15 and abolishing the electoral college.
How will I remember him?
His surname! It's so hard to pronounce that he turned it into merchandise for his campaign.
Speaking of things that are hard to pronounce, Mr Buttigieg himself is a polyglot, speaking French, Spanish, Italian, Norwegian, Maltese, Arabic and Dari.
Who is he?
The son of a Chicana activist, Julian Castro was the youngest member of Obama's cabinet, serving as the 16th secretary of housing and urban development.
The 44-year-old former mayor of San Antonio, Texas endorsed Hillary Clinton early in the 2016 presidential campaign and was floated as a potential running mate for the eventual Democratic nominee.
What's his platform?
Mr Castro is touting immigration reform that promises a path to citizenship for undocumented migrants, the repeal of Mr Trump's travel bans and an increase in refugee admissions.
He's also on board with the Green New Deal, Medicare For All and said he would support the impeachment of Mr Trump.
How will I remember him?
Mr Castro has an identical twin brother, Joaquin, who's a Congressman from Texas.
The pair got into hot water in 2005
when Joaquin stood in for Julian on a parade float in San Antonio.
Mr Castro later said he had a conflicting appointment and didn't mean to confuse anyone.
Who is she?
Current Representative for Hawaii, an Iraq War Veteran and former vice chair of the Democratic National Convention (she resigned in 2016 to support Bernie Sanders). Ms Gabbard was the first American Samoan and first Hindu member of US Congress.
The 38-year-old has been known to cross party lines from time to time and famously met with Mr Trump during his transition to office.
After throwing her hat in the ring, Ms Gabbard was forced to apologise over her past stances on LGBTQ issues and a controversial meeting with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.
She's also taken heat for siding with Republicans on a bill that would place "extreme vetting" measures on Iraqi and Syrian refugees.
What's her platform?
Ms Gabbard is relatively progressive. She hasn't explicitly supported the Green New Deal, but she's put forth similar measures and says climate change is a top priority. She also supports free college, public healthcare and reducing the US military presence in the Middle East.
How will I remember her?
Ms Gabbard is an accomplished athlete. She once worked as a martial arts instructor and loves to surf whenever she can.
Who is she?
A first-term Senator from California with a long resume of legal offices, including as district attorney for San Francisco and attorney-general for California.
The 54-year-old daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, Senator Harris has made history in a few elections, becoming the first African-American, Asian-American or woman to become California's attorney-general and the first African-American woman to represent California in the Senate.
PHOTO: Harris rose to national prominence for her work on Senate committees. (Reuters: Saul Loeb)
What's her platform?
As California's attorney-general, Senator Harris faced criticism for being too conservative — especially on criminal justice reform. So far, her 2020 platform is verging strongly to the left on these issues. She supports the Green New Deal, public healthcare and decriminalising marijuana and sex work.
How will I remember her?
Senator Harris is among a number of Democratic candidates who aren't taking money from corporate PACS.
What sets Senator Harris apart is her ability to make up the difference from small donors.
As of April,
she raised more than $12 million from individual donors, with only Bernie Sanders raising more.
Who is he?
The 68-year-old current Governor of Washington state. Mr Inslee has held elected office for much of the last three decades and previously served as regional director for the US Department of Health and Human Services.
What's his platform?
Climate change. Mr Inslee's policy calls for America to have 100 per cent carbon-neutral power by 2030 and 100 per cent renewable, zero-emission energy by 2035. He's also calling for 100 per cent zero-emission vehicles and carbon-neutral buildings in the same time-frame.
Interestingly, he has said he
welcomes the Green New Deal, but said he won't endorse it because it's not a policy document.
Mr Inslee has also pledged to decline donations from fossil fuel related sources or corporate PACS.
How will I remember him?
Mr Inslee has written (and illustrated!)
a children's book about climate change called "Elvis and the Elves: The Mystery of the Melting Snow".
PHOTO: A page of Jay Inslee's very real children's book. (Jay Inslee)
Who is she?
The popular 58-year-old Minnesota Senator was a lawyer before seeking public office. Senator Klobuchar drew widespread praise for her questioning during the recent nomination hearings of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Shortly after announcing, Senator
Klobuchar had to fend off accusations of poor treatment of aides in her congressional office.
What's her platform?
Senator Klobuchar is a moderate Democrat known for her pragmatism and hails from the Midwest, a group of states that flipped to Donald Trump in 2016 but Democrats will look to win back in 2020.
Her key policy to date is a trillion dollar infrastructure plan she's pledged to implement in her first year of presidency. The plan seeks to repair and replace roads and highways, expand public transport, and connect every home to the internet by 2022.
How will I remember her?
Senator Klobuchar won't be a stranger to the rigours of the road for the 2020 presidential campaign. She makes a point of visiting all 87 counties in Minnesota every year.
Who is he?
A two-term Congressmen from Texas who became a media darling during his unlikely run for the US Senate against Republican Ted Cruz. When he narrowly lost, talk turned immediately to a potential 2020 run.
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The 46-year-old raised $70 million in mostly small donations during his 2018 midterms run and backed that up by raising $10 million within 18 days of announcing his candidacy.
Mr O'Rourke's fundraising skills and a savvy social media presence have set him apart in a crowded field.
What's his platform?
Despite a moderate voting record in his time in Congress, Mr O'Rourke has adopted plenty of the progressive positions that define the new generation of Democrats.
He's in favour of campaign finance, immigration and criminal justice reforms, ending the prohibition of marijuana and paid family leave. His most detailed policy addresses climate change, promising a $5 trillion investment and net-zero emissions by 2050.
How will I remember him?
"Beto" is a nickname he picked up while growing up in El Paso. Robert O'Rourke was given the moniker by his family — it's a common Spanish nickname. It's pronounced "Beh-do".
Who is he?
A Senator from Vermont who, despite seeking the nomination of the Democratic party, is the longest-serving independent in US history. The 77-year-old was mayor of Burlington, Vermont before rising to the House of Representatives in 1990. He was elected to the US Senate in 2006.
Senator Sanders was the only genuine competitor against Hillary Clinton during the 2016 Democratic primary, winning 43 per cent of delegates.
What's his platform?
Senator Sanders is a self-described democratic socialist, making him one of the most left-leaning candidates in the race.
He has focused his campaign on economic issues, including Medicare for All, a $15 minimum wage, expanding the estate tax, limiting the size of banks, and tuition-free college.
He's also promised to pass a Green New Deal that would ban fracking and new fossil fuel infrastructure, end US exports of coal, natural gas and crude oil and move the US energy system away from fossil fuels.
How will I remember him?
He's yet to belt out a tune on the campaign trail, but Senator Sanders recorded a folk album, titled 'We Shall Overcome', in 1987 with 30 musicians.
It's less Beyonce and more Shatner. Even Senator Sanders himself called it "the worst album ever recorded" while on the campaign trail in 2016.
YOUTUBE: Listen to Bernie Sanders' folk album
Who is she?
A Senator from Massachusetts, who, rumour has it, considered a presidential run in 2016. Before taking office, Senator Warren was a law professor who researched financial pressures facing middle class families. She served on a congressional oversight panel regarding the 2008 economic recession and as a special advisor to the treasury secretary.
And before that, the 69-year-old was a special needs public school teacher and a full-time mum.
You might also remember Senator Warren by her Trump-appointed nickname, "Pocahontas." The Senator has proven she had Native American ancestors over six generations ago, but took some heat for once listing herself as a minority in a law school directory.
What's her platform?
She's not a socialist, but not quite a capitalist. You might call her a left-wing populist. Talk of taxing the rich and supporting the middle class are her rhetorical touchstones.
Some say Senator Warren has the most comprehensive policy positions of all the candidates. Her library of plans includes everything from immigration and healthcare reform to improving military housing and addressing maternal mortality. Polling suggests that her plan for student debt forgiveness is proving especially popular with young voters.
How will I remember her?
You can thank Senator Warren for the feminist battle cry: "Nevertheless, she persisted." What now adorns coffee mugs, T-shirts and posters was first uttered in reference to Ms Warren by Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Senator Warren was warned not to argue against the nomination of former attorney-general Jeff Sessions by reading a letter from Martin Luther King Jr's widow. Nevertheless, she persisted, only to be voted off the floor.
YOUTUBE: Elizabeth Warren: Nevertheless, She Persisted
Who is she?
A 66-year-old spiritual self-help author and activist who boasts an impressive social media following and celebrity client list. Her 12 published books range from weight loss guides to meditations on American politics. She proscribes mindfulness and love as the key ingredients for a better country. Ms Williamson mounted an unsuccessful California congressional campaign in 2014, finishing fourth in a primary race with 16 candidates.
What's her platform?
Ms Williamson wants to heal the soul of America and believes the responsibility for doing so lies with individual Americans. Her notable policy points include issuing reparations for slavery, raising the minimum wage and fighting climate change.
How will I remember her?
Ms Williamson has served as Oprah Winfrey's personal spiritual guide since the mid-90's.
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Who is he?
An entrepreneur who found financial success running an education company and has never held elected office.
One of the youngest candidates in the race at age 44, Mr Yang was recognised twice by the Obama White House when named Champion of Change and a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship.
What's his platform?
Mr Yang is (almost) a single issue candidate. His first priority will be to implement a universal basic income of $1000 a month for every American adult over 18. He promises to pay for it with a new tax on companies that benefit most from workforce automation, which he says threatens the future of American jobs.
Mr Yang is also in favour of universal healthcare at an affordable price, a shift towards what he defines as "human-centred capitalism", statehood for Puerto Rico and getting rid of the penny.
How will I remember him?
Mr Yang is willing to put his money where his mouth is when it comes to his Universal Basic Income policy.
He
says he'll give one person in Iowa, home of one of the first major contests of the primary, $US1,000 a month for a year to demonstrate the benefits of his policy.
The Underdogs
These candidates have qualified for the debates on ONE criteria:
Who is he?
Steve Bullock, who served as Montana's attorney-general before being elected as Governor in 2012, entered the race relatively late in order to finish out the latest legislative session.
What's his platform?
The 53-year-old is running as a centrist, touting his electoral success in a state that voted overwhelmingly for Mr Trump.
His number one issue is reforming campaign finance, and he's vowing to add watchdog agencies to enforce campaign laws, crack down on dark money and ultimately overturn Citizen's United (an extremely influential ruling by the US Supreme Court
which you can read about here).
How will I remember him?
As a young boy, Governor Bullock delivered newspapers to the house of his predecessor, the former governor of Montana. Now, he's raising his own kids there.
Who is he?
The former three-term congressman from Maryland chose not to run for re-election during the 2018 midterms so he could focus on his presidential campaign.
What's his platform?
With a record as a moderate, 56-year-old Mr Delaney has pledged a carbon tax to fight climate change, a constitutional record to overturn Citizens United and a national AI strategy to prepare the American economy for automation.
He's also proposing to introduce national service that would force for young Americans to choose military service, community service, infrastructure apprenticeships or to take part in his "Climate Corps".
How will I remember him?
Mr Delaney was the first Democrat to announce he would run for president. He threw his hat in the ring all the way back in July 2017.
Who is she?
Two-term Senator from New York and a former lawyer. The 52-year-old former gun-rights-supporting moderate has shifted further left in recent years.
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What's her platform?
Senator Gillibrand's top priority is supporting women and working families. As a senator, she repeatedly introduced paid family policies only to be voted down. During the height of the #MeToo movement she called for former senator Al Franken to resign and proposed a bill to change how congressional assault allegations are handled. Now, she's broadening her stance with bold promises like only nominating pro-choice judges.
How will I remember her?
A mother of two young children, Senator Gillibrand authored a picture book about the suffragists who won women the right to vote in the early 1900s.
Who is he?
A former two-term governor of Colorado, the 67-year-old's past careers include mayor of Denver, co-founder of a brewing company and geologist.
What's his platform?
Mr Hickenlooper is running as a pragmatic moderate. As governor, he earned a reputation for his pro-business policies and his stance against legalising marijuana and publicly-financed healthcare (though he's since changed his view on both those issues).
How will I remember him?
Mr Hickenlooper boasts a lanky, 1.9 metre frame. That may be why his campaign's tagline is "stand tall."
Who is he?
Current representative for Ohio who has kept his seat for nearly two decades. Mr Ryan, now age 45, also serves on the high-profile House Appropriations Committee.
Mr Ryan made a splash in 2016 when he challenged then minority Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for her long-held seat. He was criticised by his own party for flip-flopping on abortion (Mr Ryan, a Catholic, opposed it until 2015) and gun control (he accepted money from the National Rifle Association up until 2017).
What's his platform?
Mr Ryan's district has been hit hard by the closure of major auto plants in the midst of US trade wars. Mr Ryan is aiming to win over white, working class voters with his moderate stance and focus on revitalising the economy. Notably, Mr Ryan is against tax cuts and healthcare overhaul. He is advocating for secure retirement and harnessing renewable energy.
How will I remember him?
Mr Ryan is a huge proponent of meditation and wrote a book on the subject, A Mindful Nation, in 2012.
Here he is urging Congress to make yoga available for veterans:
Twitter embed
Twitter: @RepTimRyan tweet: Mindfulness, yoga, and other wellness practices are helping our veterans every day. Congress must do more to ensure they have the tools and resources needed to stay strong and heal.
View on Twitter
#Swalwell
Who is he?
Career politician and current representative for California since 2012. Mr Swalwell rose quickly through House ranks and now sits on the House Judiciary and House Intelligence Committees, where he's been an outspoken critic of Mr Trump's relationship with Russia. He also served as co-chairman of the House Democratic Steering committee, focusing on outreach to millennials. The 38-year-old was born in Iowa and previously worked as a county prosecutor.
What's his platform?
Mr Swalwell is going all-in on gun control. Partnering with Parkland shooting survivors and pledging to take on the NRA, Mr Swalwell wants to ban military-style semi-automatic guns and launch a federal buyback all of America's 15 million assault weapons. He also supports the principles of the Green New Deal, funding healthcare research, debt-free college and press freedom.
How will I remember him?
Mr Swalwell comes from a family of Republicans. In his campaign video, his mum laughs it off, saying:
"We raised them all the same, but somehow one of them turns out to be a Democrat!"
Candidates who have not qualified for either criteria
Whether they've recently thrown their name in the ring or they've struggled to get the support they need, these candidates are still worth keeping an eye on:
- Michael Bennet — Current senator from Colorado. Running on a platform of bipartisan compromise, a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, lightening student loan debt and rejoining the Paris Climate Accords.
- Bill de Blasio — Current mayor of New York City. Running a progressive platform based on fighting inequality
- Mike Gravel — Former senator from Alaska and 2008 presidential candidate. Running on an anti-war platform
- Wayne Messam — Current Mayor of Miramar, Florida. Running on a platform of fighting climate change and forgiving student loan debt
- Seth Moulton — Current representative for Massachusetts and Iraq War veteran. Running on advancing the military, creating public healthcare and passing the Green New Deal
Candidates who've dropped out
In order by date:
- Richard Ojeda — State Senator from West Virginia who lost a highly-publicized 2018 US House race. Ran for 10 days on a populist platform of helping the working class.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-31/who-is-running-for-president-in-2020/11110066