2020 Presidential Candidates: October 2019

A photo of 10 of the Democratic presidential candidates during the first Democratic debate in June of 2019
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
A photo taken of 10 of the Democratic candidates before the second Democratic debate in June of 2019.

Americans will vote for the next President of the United States in a little over a year, but there are still 23 candidates running between the two major parties. Only one candidate for each party will get their endorsement after winning the primaries taking place from February to June of 2020. Voters registered for a party such as the Democratic or Republican party can vote for a candidate, and the person who wins in the most states will become the official candidate for their party. Many parties will have town hall debates which help Americans decide what candidates they are most interested in. The Democratic party already had three debates this year, with two more before the election on October 15 and 16 and November 2019. The Republican National Committee decided not to host any formal debates, but Business Insider hosted one with two of the Republican candidates running on September 24. Here is a list of the names of the candidates and their signature issues:

Micheal Bennett (D) – Bennett is a moderate Democrat who wants to modernize the economy and increase spending on infrastructure (buildings, roads, etc…)
Joe Biden (D) – Biden intends to fix the United States’ standing globally and increase protections for low-income workers.
Cory Booker (D) – As a Senator, Booker has been a leader in criminal justice reform. He proposed a government savings program that will benefit children in low-income families.
Steve Bullock (D) – Bullock wants to reform campaign financing, push education for younger children, and create policies reducing income inequality.
Pete Buttigieg (D) – Buttigieg wants to focus on the issues of climate change and economic opportunity. He has also emphasized that he is the youngest Democratic candidate.
Julián Castro (D) – Castro wants to reform the immigration system, which includes decriminalizing crossing the border, and have all children go to pre-kindergarten.
John Delaney (D) – Delaney has described himself as being able to solve problems by getting the support of both parties on issues but also wants more liberal ideas like universal health care.
Tulsi Gabbard (D) – Gabbard strongly opposes the United States’ military intervention in other countries, such as Syria.
Kamala Harris (D) – Harris wants to cut taxes for the middle-class and has championed the cause of civil rights.
Amy Klobuchar (D) – Klobuchar wants to combat the opioid crisis and address the costs of prescription drugs.
Wayne Messam (D) – Messam wants to cancel the $1.5 trillion in student debt of 44 million Americans.
Beto O’Rourke (D) – Beto O’Rourke wants to reform immigration, legalize marijuana, and give people in rural areas better access to hospitals.
Tim Ryan (D) – Ryan wants to renegotiate trade deals, give unions more rights, and develop the workforce.
Bernie Sanders (D) – Sanders wants “Medicare for all,” free college tuition, and to decrease the influence of billionaires in politics.
Joe Sestak (D) – Sestak wants to fight climate change and fix the United States’ standing globally.
Tom Steyer (D) – Steyer wants to combat climate change by promoting renewable energy and has run ads declaring for the impeachment of President Trump.
Elizabeth Warren (D) – Warren wants to reduce income inequality and protect the middle class from big companies.
Marianne Williamson (D) – Williamson has proposed to spend $100 billion in reparations for slavery, spending $10 billion each year for ten years.
Andrew Yang (D) – Yang has proposed creating a universal basic income for all Americans of $1000 a month.
Mark Sanford (R) – Sanford wants to address the United States’ accumulating debt.
Donald Trump (R) – Trump wants to restrict immigration which includes building a wall along the border, renegotiate deals on trade, arms, and climate change, and remove troops from overseas.
Joe Walsh (R) – Walsh wants to secure the border, limit the powers of the President, and reduce the national debt. He said President Trump “can’t be trusted” and is “unfit” to be President.
William F. Weld (R) – Weld wants to reduce regulations on trade, have some reforms on immigration, and legalize marijuana.

William B. Plowman, Mark Wilson, Tom Williams, Paul Marotta
The four Republican candidates running for President: Mark Sanford, Donald Trump, Joe Walsh, and William F. Weld

The Presidential race has been heating up recently. Only 10 of the 19 Democratic candidates qualified for the last debate in September. Republican primaries in 3 states have been canceled, which is a worrying sign for the three candidates running against President Trump.