20 Democrats Who Could Run for President in 2020

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 26: Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D-VA) delivers remarks on the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton received the number of votes needed to secure the party’s nomination. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Philadelphia, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Democratic National Convention kicked off July 25. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

18. Terry McAuliffe

Terry McAuliffe is currently serving his first term as the 72nd Governor of Virginia after losing his first bid at the office in 2009. Due to Virginia’s odd term limits, this will be McAuliffe’s only term, coming to an end in 2017. Before becoming Governor, McAuliffe took an active role in the presidential campaigns of both Bill and Hillary Clinton. From 2001 to 2005, he was the chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Before that, he was the co-chairman of Bill Clinton’s re-election campaign in 1996 and later held the position of chairman for Hillary Clinton’s 2008 campaign. During his time on each of the Clinton campaigns, McAuliffe established an impressive record in fundraising. Using those skills for his own presidential campaign in 2020 could make him a frontrunner. His views and history on certain issues would certainly help.

As Governor of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe has been fighting hard to restore the voting rights of 200,000 felons in his state. He has also been an advocate for healthcare, attempting to push through Medicaid expansion in Virginia and issuing executive orders for healthcare reform when his efforts were blocked by Virginia’s GOP. McAuliffe has strongly supported economic development, environmental issues, and education.

Although his ties to both Bill and Hillary Clinton could hurt him, McAuliffe could be successful if he manages to keep the focus on his own experience and his own political record.