The 2020 presidential election may still be more than a year away, but the field of Democratic candidates is already crowded.
Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet entered the race on Thursday, becoming the 21st Democrat to throw his hat in the 2020 presidential ring.
The victor will run against Republican President Donald J. Trump in his presumed reelection bid, unless former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld or another Republican manages to edge out the incumbent.
Announced
Former Vice President Joe Biden became the 20th candidate when he announced that he was entering the race last Thursday.
Former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke surprised few when he announced that he had decided to run for president on March 14. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders announced his candidacy on Feb. 19. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker entered the race on Feb. 1, followed by Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar on Feb. 10. Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Indiana, announced a presidential exploratory committee on Jan. 23.
On Jan. 12, former San Antonio Mayor and Obama administration official Julian Castro announced his bid after forming an exploratory committee in December. On Jan. 15, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert announced her exploratory committee.
California Sen. Kamala Harris declared her intentions on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, while Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren put forth her candidacy on New Year’s Eve.
A number of lesser-known Democratic candidates have also announced their intentions to run for president, including Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, former Maryland Rep. John Delaney, Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton, California Rep. Eric Swalwell, Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan, Miramar, Florida mayor Wayne Messam, entrepreneur Andrew Yang, and writer and spiritual adviser to Oprah Marianne Williamson. Former West Virginia state Sen. Richard Ojeda, while one of the first to announce his candidacy, dropped out of the race after deciding that he didn’t have a shot at winning.
Potential Candidates
With Biden’s long-awaited announcement finally upon us, the number of potential candidates has narrowed to just a few. Among them: Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, and perhaps 2018 Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
Both Hillary Clinton and former New York City Mayor—and former Republican—Michael Bloomberg, once considered probable candidates, have announced that they will not run in the 2020 election.
