Still running
JoeBiden
Nearly two dozen 2020 Democratic presidential candidates have hit the road to pitch their vision, experiment with catchphrases and test policy ideas. On the other side, some Republicans have challenged President Trump in the Republican primary.
When do candidates usually announce?
In previous presidential election cycles, most major-party candidates announced their campaigns in the first half of the year before the election. The chart below does not include the intermediate step of creating an exploratory committee.
Source: Smart Politics
Below, see the candidates who have declared their candidacy and several more who have dropped out.
Senators
A traditional launching pad for the presidency, this class will have to overcome frustration with Washington.
“If we keep going down this road, we’re going to be the first generation of Americans to leave less opportunity, not more, to the next generation.”
Michael Bennet
A former Denver schools superintendent and current senator from Colorado, the champion of political moderation announced a run following a prostate cancer diagnosis and surgery.
“I’ve chosen to suspend my campaign now ... and give you time to consider the other strong choices in the field.”
Cory Booker
A former mayor of Newark, the senator from New Jersey speaks of love, human connection and economic renewal on the trail.
“I am so proud of this team and all we've accomplished. But I think it’s important to know how you can best serve.”
Kirsten Gillibrand
A senator from New York who led the fight against sexual assault in the military and sexual harassment in government.
“The future of our country depends on you and millions of others lifting our voices to fight for our American values.”
Kamala Harris
A former prosecutor and longtime criminal justice reformer, the Californian won a Senate seat the same night Trump won the White House.
“Our nation must be governed not from chaos but from opportunity.”
Amy Klobuchar
After winning reelection in 2018 by 24 percentage points, the senator from Minnesota says she believes that many in the Midwest were not heard in the 2016 election.
“Our campaign is about transforming our country and creating a government based on the principles of economic, social, racial and environmental justice.”
Bernie Sanders
A self-described Democratic socialist, the senator from Vermont won 43 percent of the popular vote in the 2016 Democratic primaries.
“If we organize together, if we fight together, if we persist together we can win. We can and we will.”
Elizabeth Warren
The former law professor’s work on bankruptcy regulation led her into politics, where she became a two-term senator from Massachusetts.
BennetThe Trailer: Michael Bennet is sick of watching Democrats lose
HarrisA few liberal activists challenged Kamala Harris’s black authenticity. The president’s son amplified their message.
WarrenWarren’s nonstop ideas reshape the Democratic presidential race — and give her new momentum
House members
Each brings a perspective to the race forged in their own distinct parts of the country.
“It is clear that God has a different purpose for me at this moment in time.”
John Delaney
A former Maryland representative, he announced a presidential run in July 2017 and has stressed bipartisanship during several trips to Iowa.
“I ask you to join me, join me in putting this spirit ... of service above self at the forefront.”
Tulsi Gabbard
One of the first female combat veterans to join Congress, the 37-year-old representative from Hawaii backed Bernie Sanders in 2016.
“I am leaving this race knowing that we raised issues that are vitally important.”
Seth Moulton
A representative from Massachusetts and Marine Corps veteran, he dropped his opposition to Nancy Pelosi for speaker of the House.
“This moment of peril produces perhaps the greatest moment of promise for this country and for everyone inside of it.”
Beto O'Rourke
A former House member from El Paso, he emerged as a Democratic star in 2018, raising huge sums of money during his unsuccessful Senate bid.
“I got into this race in April to really give voice to the forgotten people of our country. I look forward to continuing that fight.”
Tim Ryan
A U.S. representative from Ohio, he ran against Nancy Pelosi for Democratic leader in 2016. He has stressed the need for Democrats to win back working-class voters.
“Without the privilege of national press, it is unfair to ask others to husband their resolve and to sacrifice resources any longer”
Joe Sestak
A former House member and unsuccessful Senate candidate from Pennsylvania, the Navy veteran is running on “restoring U.S. global leadership.”
“Today ends our presidential campaign, but it is the beginning of an opportunity in Congress with a new perspective ...”
Eric Swalwell
A vocal member of the House intelligence committee, he has said he wants gun control “front and center in our national policy debate.”
MoultonMoulton drops out of presidential race after failing to break through in a crowded Democratic field
SwalwellSwalwell drops out of presidential race, will seek reelection to House
GabbardTulsi Gabbard knocks ‘war hawks’ and stands by her foreign policy views
Governors
They bring a record of policy accomplishments and executive experience from their home states.
“I leave this race filled with gratitude and optimism, inspired and energized by the good people I’ve had the privilege of meeting over the course of the campaign.”
Steve Bullock
The moderate Democrat won reelection as governor in 2016 even as Trump won big in Montana. He has visited key presidential states and tacked left on gun control, signaling a play for more-liberal voters.
“Today, I’m ending my campaign for president. But I will never stop believing that America can only move forward when we work together.”
John Hickenlooper
A two-term Colorado governor and former Denver mayor and pub owner, he pitched himself as nonpartisan and a business-friendly pragmatist.
“It’s become clear that I’m not going to be carrying the ball, I’m not going to be the president, so I’m withdrawing tonight from the race.”
Jay Inslee
An outgoing chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, the Washington governor made climate change a central part of his platform.
“This time is about more than removing an unpopular and divisive leader, as important as that is, but about delivering instead for you.”
Deval Patrick
A former Massachussetts governor who ruled out a presidential run early on. He decided to run and will attempt to bring an aspirational message to the race, but could face scrutiny over his corporate ties.
HickenlooperHickenlooper quits Democratic presidential race, says he’s mulling Senate run
InsleeAfter dropping White House bid, Jay Inslee announces he is seeking a third term as Washington governor
Mayors
Only two mayors have ever made it to the Oval Office, but both served in other government roles before becoming president.
“I believe I would defeat Donald Trump in a general election”
Michael Bloomberg
A three-term mayor of New York City, he founded an eponymous technology company that made him the 11th-richest person in the world, worth about $50 billion, according to Forbes.
“It's not just about winning an election — it's about winning an era.”
Pete Buttigieg
A veteran of the U.S. Navy Reserve who served in the Afghanistan conflict, the 37-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Ind., is also the only openly gay candidate in the field.
“I’m so proud of the campaign we’ve run together ... I have determined that it simply isn’t our time.”
Julián Castro
A former mayor of San Antonio and secretary of Housing and Urban Development, he spent the early Trump years travelling the country to support a new generation of Democratic leaders.
“There’s plenty of money in this world. There’s plenty of money in this country. It’s just in the wrong hands.”
Bill de Blasio
The current mayor of New York City, he travelled to Iowa in 2017, where he declared, “We are at the beginning of a progressive era.”
ButtigiegCould Pete Buttigieg become the first millennial president?
De-blasioBill De Blasio was the unexpected Russia hawk of the first Democratic debate
CastroJulián Castro is taking a victory lap after a strong debate performance
Businesspeople
In the wake of Donald Trump’s election, the paths to the presidency have broadened like never before.
“As an outsider, I’ve led grassroots efforts that have taken on big corporations and won results for people.”
Tom Steyer
A billionaire former hedge fund manager who financed a campaign to impeach President Trump. He announced in January that he would not run, but has now jumped into the contest.
“I don’t want to get in the way of a progressive candidate winning any of [the primaries].”
Marianne Williamson
A spiritual author and entrepreneur who ran an unsuccessful independent campaign for the House in 2014, she announced a bid in late January.
“No one else is going to build a better world for us. We’re going to have to do it ourselves. Together.”
Andrew Yang
An entrepreneur who is advocating for a universal basic income for U.S. adults, he declared his run in February.
SteyerBillionaire Tom Steyer says he will run for president after spurning the race earlier this year
WilliamsonMarianne Williamson is running for president. The self-help author wants to be your healer in chief.
YangHow Andrew Yang — random opinionated person — made a place for himself in the Democratic field
Other officials
Several former public officials have remained a force in the party.
“[W]e are in the battle for the soul of this nation.”
Joe Biden
The 76-year-old former vice president is one of the most well-known names in the field. He has said it is “totally legitimate” if voters think he is too old to take on Trump.
“Unfortunately, we've made the decision that we're going to end this presidential campaign.”
Richard Ojeda
A brash former West Virginia state senator and retired Army paratrooper, he announced a presidential bid after an unsuccessful run for the U.S. House.
BidenBravado or belligerent, it’s Joe Biden’s response to nearly everything: ‘C’mon, man!’
AbramsDemocrats hope Stacey Abrams holds the key. But can anyone else use it?
Republicans/others
Some concerned Republicans have hinted they might challenge Trump in the primary. At least one person is looking at an independent bid.
“Our new slogan for 2020, you know what it is? Keep America Great.”
Donald Trump
President
“I think that as a Republican Party, we have lost our way.”
Mark Sanford
Former South Carolina governor and U.S. representative
“I’m running because Donald Trump is not who we are. In fact, he’s the worst of who we are.”
Joe Walsh
Former Illinois congressman and talk-radio host
“The country deserves to have some fiscal constraint and conservatism.”
William Weld
Former Mass. governor, 2016 libertarian VP nominee
Laris Karklis and Reuben Fischer-Baum contributed to this report.
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