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Top 10 Democrat contenders

Recently, we posted rankings for the top three Democratic presidential contenders for 2020. However, when as many as 40 candidates have either confirmed they are running or are widely reported to be considering runs, this seems inadequate.

Therefore, we are listing our top 10 contenders as of this publication.

1. Kamala Harris of California – Harris, 54, made multiple national TV appearances already this year to promote her new book. The first-term U.S. senator has also scheduled a trip to South Carolina, which, along with New Hampshire and Iowa, is a pivotal primary state. Because California will play an increased role in determining the nominee compared to prior elections, Harris currently ranks as our top contender.

2. Beto O’Rourke of Texas – The 46-year-old former member of Congress is scheduled to appear in New York City’s Times Square with the one and only Oprah Winfrey on Feb. 5. His strong appeal to female voters seems to be driving his potential candidacy.

3. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts – The first candidate on our list to confirm a formal exploratory committee, Warren, 69, drew a considerable crowd during her Saturday organizing event at Manchester Community College. A strong showing in New Hampshire is crucial to any national hopes for Warren.

4. Joe Biden of Delaware – The former longtime U.S. senator and two-term vice president has some clear strengths and obvious weaknesses as a 2020 contender. On the plus side, we find experience, charisma and name-recognition. However, he has a history of gaffes. Also, is a white man who is now age 76 really going to be the Democratic Party nominee in 2020?

5. Cory Booker of New Jersey – Booker, 49, seems like an interesting guy. Prior to his election to the U.S. Senate, he served as mayor of Newark, New Jersey. Booker has already been to New Hampshire and seems likely to return.

6. Bernie Sanders of Vermont – There are two main reasons we cannot rank the U.S. senator higher on our list: 1) He will turn 78 later this year; and 2) Many within the Democratic Party are determined to keep the independent Sanders from winning.

7. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York – A strong feminist with connections to New York campaign donors, Gillibrand, 52, seems to be a solid contender.

8. Sherrod Brown of Ohio – Other than perhaps Biden, Brown, 66, seems to be the candidate who would give Democrats the best chance to win Rust Belt states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.

9. Julian Castro of Texas – The 44-year-old Latino formerly served as the secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as mayor of San Antonio.

10. John Delaney of Maryland – A 55-year-old former member of Congress, Delaney has been actively campaigning in New Hampshire for several months.

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