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Who will run for president in 2020?

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The New Hampshire presidential primary is more than two years away, but potential Democratic candidates are already testing the waters by visiting New Hampshire, hiring political consultants, and forming PACs. Here’s a summary of possible challengers for President Donald Trump:

Rep. John Delaney (D-Maryland)

Back in July Delaney became the first elected official to declare he is running for President. The third-term Congressman and wealthy businessman is hoping an early declaration will help him with name recognition. In a Washington Post editorial he wrote: 

“The American people are far greater than the sum of our political parties. It is time for us to rise above our broken politics and renew the spirit that enabled us to achieve the seemingly impossible. This is why I am running for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States.”

Mark Cuban (R)

The businessman and “Shark Tank” TV personality says he is “actively considering” a run for President. He has criticized Donald Trump for everything from his management style to his decision not to disclose his tax returns.

“Based off what's happening in the White House, based off what's happening in the country and the world, we need better leadership. And I think I could do a better job.”

CNBC 

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D)

Garcetti visited New Hampshire in August to campaign for Manchester mayoral candidate Joyce Craig. Many political pundits believe Garcetti wanted the chance to introduce himself to New Hampshire voters. No mayor has ever won a presidential race, but Garcetti doesn’t think that is a problem

“I think it’s important to show people who happen to be Democrats, but people who, run things like, for me, the biggest port in America, the biggest airport, the utility that’s the largest in the country – people want folks that are very practical-minded.”

Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D)

Image removed.Insiders report that former Obama administration officials are urging Patrick to run in 2020. Right now Patrick is managing Bain Capital’s social impact fund (yes, the same Bain Capital co-founded by Mitt Romney).

“I’m trying to think about how to be helpful, because I care about the country and I’m a patriot first. And it’s way, way too soon to be making plans for 2020.”

Boston.com 

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio)

Ryan gained a national spotlight after he challenged Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House. Although he lost that contest, he’s used the attention to book speaking gigs around the country – including New Hampshire.

“Shaping the national debate is on my radar, and using the bullhorn that I have and that got bigger after I ran against leader Pelosi. The country needs a voice from a place like Youngstown, and our party needs to figure out how to get working-class voters back.”

WMUR 

Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey)

Booker, a first-term Senator, is widely regarded as a rising star in the Democratic Party. This summer he gained even more attention by sponsoring a bill to decriminalize marijuana nationwide.

“We in America, we forget the power that we have to make change. We didn't get civil rights legislation because Strom Thurmond sat there and said, 'OK, yeah, I'm going to do that, I'm going to give equal rights to folks.' No, it was Americans demanding it, fighting for it, getting up every single day.”

Late Night with Seth Meyers 

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-California)

California is considering moving up its presidential primary, which would give first-term Senator Harris an early bump in the race. She’s been meeting with big name Democratic donors and campaigning for colleagues in battleground states. At recent rally for young undocumented immigrants Harris said:

“This is about a fight for the future of this country, believing in the values upon which this country was founded.”

Former Vice President Joe Biden (D)

Image removed.Biden declined to run in 2016, due in part to the death of his son in 2015.

He’s made no secret that he thinks he could have beat Clinton and Trump.

“I regret it every day, but it was the right decision for my family and for me, and I plan on staying deeply involved.”

NPR 

Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont)

Even though Sanders lost the presidential primary in 2016, he has stayed in the spotlight fighting against Trump’s policies and proposing universal health insurance. Sanders says it’s too early to decide about 2020, but he’s not ruling out another run.

“Our job right now is to not only fight against this disastrous health care proposal. It is to take on all of Trump’s reactionary proposals. He is a representative of the billionaire class. He's at war against the working class.”

USA Today 

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D)

O’Malley is another failed 2016 candidate considering a rerun.

O’Malley has visited the Granite State several times this year.

“When I’m asked whether I’ll run again, I say ‘I just might. I very well might.’”

Concord Monitor 

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts)

President Trump has already suggested he may face off against Warren in 2020. Although the first-term Senator fiercely battled Trump on Twitter during the 2016 election, Warren says she is now focused on working progressive issues in the U.S. Senate, not running for president.

“We can’t be a party and we can’t be a nation that says, ‘Horse race to horse race, let’s just see what happens every four years and let’s get all excited about speculating who’s going to be in the race in four years.’”

Boston.com 

Tom Steyer (D)

Image removed.Steyer is a former hedge-fund manager and major donor for Democratic candidates. He recently called on all Democrats to support the impeachment of Donald Trump. When asked if he was considering a run, Steyer said:

“I will do whatever I think is the most impactful thing that I can do to push what I believe in terms of values and vision.” 

Jason Kander (D)

Kander lost the 2016 race for U.S. Senate in Missouri, but analysts believe he performed very well on the ballot. He’s traveled to New Hampshire and many other states this year for Let America Vote, a nonprofit focused on voting rights. Asked if he will run in 2020, Kander answered:

“I’m just really focused on making sure we still hold elections. And then maybe one day I’ll be in one.”

Is there a candidate you would like to vote for in 2020? Join the discussion in the comments below.

Comments

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Jackie

Will Trump's own party let him run uncontested for their nomination? With his abysmal approval rating, there must be some within the GOP who question Trump's ability to carry another election. I wonder if the party will continue to unite behind him, or whether some might step forward to present themselves as a better alternative.

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