UNITED STATES – JULY 28: Delegates cheer on the floor of the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pa., on the final night of the Democratic National Convention, July 28, 2016. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
In the aftermath of the 2016 election, Democrats are already looking ahead to the next race and who could take back the Oval Office.
Up until the final hours of November 8th, 2016, Democrats were hoping and, probably in most cases, expecting to lead the country for the next eight years. The odds of Hillary Clinton winning the 2016 presidential race followed by re-election in 2020 meant that Democrats considering running for POTUS could put their plans on hold until 2024. Once Clinton lost, the search for Democratic candidates for 2020 began. Senators and governors who were rumored to run in 2016 now have their names circulating once again.
While some admitted to keeping their options open, others made firm declarations that they had no desire to become President of the United States. However, our nation’s current political climate and the idea of four years of a Trump administration have lit a few fires. Democrats who once pushed away the idea of running for POTUS are not only having second thoughts themselves, but they are also facing pressure from desperate supporters.
Among this list of 20 Democratic candidates who could run for President in 2020 are several current Democratic elected officials, mostly senators and governors. Many of them were supporters of Hillary Clinton during her candidacy. They joined her on the campaign trail and they spoke at the Democratic National Convention. Considering that Hillary Clinton received an overwhelming majority of the popular vote, an endorsement from Clinton in 2020 could open a wide path to the Oval Office for someone on this list. Although a few of these Democrats have already said they have no intention of throwing their proverbial hats in the ring, a lot could change between now and then.