20 Democrats Who Could Run for President in 2020

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 10, 2016: Governor Andrew Cuomo participates in the annual Columbus Day Parade on October 10, 2016 in New York City. This is the 72nd Columbus Day Parade held in New York City. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

12. Andrew Cuomo

Andrew Cuomo is practically political royalty in the state of New York. He’s been serving as the Governor since 2011, a position that his father, Mario Cuomo, held from 1983 to 1995. He even married into another “royal” family when he and Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert and Ethel, were wed in 1990. After graduating from law school, Andrew Cuomo got his start in politics by working as his father’s campaign manager before he entered into private practice. In 1993, President Clinton appointed him Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development for Housing and Urban Development which led to the position of HUD Secretary from 1997 to 2001.

After leaving the Clinton administration, Cuomo returned to New York politics. He ran for governor but was later elected as attorney general for the State. When he ran for governor again in 2010, he won with over 60 percent of the vote. During his time as governor, Cuomo has managed to pass one of the toughest gun control laws in the nation. He was also a leader in same-sex marriage legislation, signing it into law in 2011.

Andrew Cuomo has also been very outspoken about his opinions on extreme conservatives and has come under fire on more than one occasion for his harsh remarks. While that could cost him a hefty chunk of the GOP defector votes, it’s certainly going to score him some bonus points with liberals. Perhaps Cuomo’s recent trips to Israel and Cuba could be considered an attempt to beef up his foreign policy skills. Cuomo’s biggest hurdle, however, will be his perceived inability to unite a broken Democratic party, a feat he hasn’t been able to accomplish in his own state.