Democratic Field for 2020 Election Thickens

The Democratic challengers for the upcoming 2020 presidential election has been thickening in recent weeks. With 17 Democrats having declared a run for the presidency, the Democratic field is shaping up to resemble the heavily contested Republican field from the 2016 presidential election.

The current field features traditional politicians such as Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Minn., Bernie Sanders, Vt., Cory Booker, N.J., Elizabeth Warren, Mass., Kamala Harris, Cal., and Kirsten Gillibrand, N.Y.

Congressmen and women in the field include Tim Ryan, Ohio and Tulsi Gabbard, H.I. Former Congressmen joining the race include Beto O’Rourke, Tex. and John Delaney, Md. Meanwhile, several governors, former governors, government officials, and mayors have also declared their intention to run for the highest office in the land including Jay Inslee, Wash., John Hickenlooper, Co., Julian Castro, Tex., Pete Buttigieg, Ind., and Wayne Messam, Fla.

Non-traditional candidates include Andrew Yang, tech executive and Marianne Williamson, author.

Former Vice-President Joe Biden is also widely expected to announce his candidacy in the near future. However, Biden has been under scrutiny recently due to accusations by several women of inappropriate touching.

In this early stage of campaigning, the established Senators in the field appear to be generating the most name recognition, and therefore, could be seen as the frontrunners in the race. However, O’Rourke, who ran a heavily contested race against Republican Senator Ted Cruz in 2018 has made a household name for himself, becoming very popular among progressives in the Democratic Party and with younger voters. Buttigieg, Mayor of South Bend, Ind., has likewise experienced a rise in the polls in recent weeks. Buttigieg is the only openly gay candidate in the field, and his husband Chasten Glezman has generated favorability among voters, aiding his popularity.

Critical issues championed by the 2020 candidates have moved left on the political scale since Hillary Clinton’s unsuccessful run for president in 2016. Climate change and universal healthcare have become hot topics among presidential hopefuls. Other popular issues include immigration reform, income inequality, and recreational marijuana legalization.

With a few others deemed possible to run, the Democratic field of challengers to President Donald Trump may become even more contested as we grow closer to the election.

The first primary voting will take place in Iowa with the caucus currently scheduled for February 3, 2020.