United States Presidential Election, 2020 (Beau Lives)

The United States presidential election of 2020, scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2020, will be the 59th quadrennial U.S. presidential election. Voters will select presidential electors who in turn will either elect a new president and vice president through the electoral college or re-elect the incumbents. The series of presidential primary elections and caucuses are likely to be held during the first six months of 2020. This nominating process is also an indirect election, where voters cast ballots selecting a slate of delegates to a political party's nominating convention, who then in turn elect their party's presidential nominee.

President Joe Biden of the Democratic Party, who was elected in 2016, will be eligible to seek re-election. The winner of the 2020 presidential election is scheduled to be inaugurated on January 20, 2021.

Background
In the 2016 Presidential Election, the Democratic nominee, Vice President Joe Biden, won the election handily, with 322 to 216 electoral votes and a majority in the popular vote. At age 74, Biden is the oldest President in history. At age 67, Vice President Elizabeth Warren is the fourth oldest Vice President in History. Elizabeth Warren is also the first female Vice President and the third female in history to have been nominated by a major party for the office of Vice President.

Democratic Party
Democratic incumbent Joe Biden is eligible for Re-election but has not yet committed to a run for re-election.

Below are Candidates who could run in 2020, either as a primary challenger to Biden or should Biden choose not to run for re-election.

Declared Candidates
Candidates in this section have filed paperwork with the FEC and/or equivalent paperwork. Announcing a run but not filling paper work does not qualify a candidate as "declared.
 * Rocky de La Fuente, Businessman and 2016 candidate for the Democratic Nomination.

Candidates who have publicly expressed interest

 * Michael T. Flynn, Retired Lieutenant General and former Director of Defense Intellegence Agency

List released by Wikileaks
On February 20th, 2017, Wikileaks released a list allegedly from the DNC detailing DNC vetted candidates to replace Biden or Warren on the ticket in 2020. Allegedly, the DNC compiled this list due to Biden and Warren's age, fearing that neither may seek the presidency in 2020. The list contains 11 individuals as follows:
 * Cory Booker, Senator from New Jersey since 2013, Mayor of Newark, 2006 - 2013.
 * Tammy Duckworth, Senator from Illinois since 2017, congresswoman from Illinois' 8th disctrict, 2013 - 2017.
 * Tulsi Gabbard, congresswoman from Hawaii's 2nd district since 2013
 * Kristen Gillibrand, Senator from New York since 2009, Congresswoman from New York's 20th District, 2007-2009.
 * Kamala Harris, Senator from California since 2017, Attorney General of California, 2011 - 2017.
 * Martian Heinrich, Senator from New Mexico since 2013, Congressman from New Mexico's 1st District, 2009 - 2013.
 * Jason Kander, Senator from Missouri since 2017.
 * Joe Kennedy, Congressman from Massachusetts' 4th district since 2012.
 * Gavin Newsom, Lieutenant Governor of California since 2011.
 * Deval Patrick, Attorney General since 2017, Governor of Massachusetts, 2007 - 2015.
 * Tom Perez, Chair of the Democratic National Committee since 2017, United States Secretary of Labor, 2013 - 2017.

Declined Candidates

 * Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State, 2009 - 2013, Senator from New York, 2001 - 2009, First Lady of the United States, 1993 - 2001, candidate for President in 2008 and 2016.
 * Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States, 2009 - 2017.
 * Oprah Winfrey, Talk Show Host.
 * Mark Zuckerberg, CEO and Founder of Facebook.

Republican Party
Speculation started even before the 2016 Primary season had ended, and has increased since the election. Speaker Paul Ryan has stated that the party will attempt to find a fresh face to challenge Biden in 2020, although Ryan declined to comment on any Presidential ambitions of his own.

Chair of the Republican National Committee, Ronna Romney McDaniel, has stated that the party will rally behind a single candidate in 2020. This comment is likely in reference to the significant "Never Trump" movement. The "Never Trump" movement formed in response to the candidacy of Donald Trump, with several republican politicians and donors refusing to support his candidacy. Prominent figures in the movement included former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse, and Ohio Governor John Kasich, as well as prominent donors including the Koch Brothers and Meg Whitman. Independent Candidate Evan McMullin capitalized on the "Never Trump" sentiments when launching his campaign. Potential "Never Trump" candidates include the ones listed above, as well as Congressman Justin Amash, Former New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker,and New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez.

Early Polling indicates that, should he run, former Indiana Governor and the 2016 Vice Presidential Nominee Mike Pence would be the early front runner, followed closely by Speaker Paul Ryan, Ohio Governor John Kasich, and the 2016 nominee Donald Trump. Other early contenders include South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio of Texas and Florida respectively.

Former Executive Director of the Republican Governor's Association Phil Cox said in July of 2016 "“If you thought this year was an attractive race on our side, imagine 2020, You’ll have 30 people running.” Cox reaffirmted this comment in June of 2017, and many key republican figures agree with the assessment. Kellyanne Conway, Republican pollster Donald Trump's former campaign manager commented that the 2020 field would be "gigantic."

Declared Minor Candidates
Candidates in this section have filed paperwork with the FEC and/or equivalent paperwork. Announcing a run but not filling paper work does not qualify a candidate as "declared." Candidates in this section have not been featured in 5 opinion polls.
 * Joe Walsh, Former Illinois Congressman, 8th District, 2011-2013. (Declared November 9th,2016)
 * Jack Fellure, retired engineer and perennial candidate. (Declared November 9th,2016)

Candidates who have publicly expressed interest
Candidates in this section have expressed interest within the last six months.
 * Jeb Bush, former Governor of Florida, 1999 - 2007 and candidate for President in 2016
 * Scott Brown, former Senator from Massachusetts, 2010 - 2013.
 * Tom Cotton, Senator from Arkansas since 2015, former Congressman from Arkansas' fourth district, 2013 - 2015
 * Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City, 1994 - 2001, candidate for President in 2008.
 * Dwayne Johnson, Actor.
 * John Kasich, Governor of Ohio since 2011,  former congressman from Ohio's 12th District, 1983 - 2001, candidate for president in 2000 and 2016.
 * Evan McMullin, Investment Banker, former CIA Operative, former Republican Congressional Aid, and Independent Presidential Candidate in 2016.
 * George Pataki, former Governor of New York, 1995 - 2006 and candidate for President in 2016
 * Rick Santorum, former Senator from Pennsylvania, former Congressman for Pennsylvania's 18th district.
 * Ben Sasse, Senator from Nebraska since 2015
 * Joe Scarborough, News Host and former congressman from Florida's 1st District, 1995 - 2001.
 * Arnold Schwarzenegger, Actor and former Governor of California, 2003 - 2011
 * Donald Trump, Chief Executive Officer of Trump Organization and nominee for President in 2016.
 * Ivanka Trump, Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization.
 * Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin since 2011 and candidate for President in 2016

Speculative Candidates
Candidates in this section have been the subject of media speculation from both before and after the election, but have not made statements expressing interest or disinterest in running for President in 2020. (Note: Candidates who declare intent to run for a different office in 2020 will be removed unless state law enables a candidate to be on the ballot for two different elections)


 * John Bolton, former Ambassador to the United Nations, 2005 - 2006.
 * Ted Cruz, Senator from Texas since 2013 and candidate for President in 2016.*
 * Jim Demint, former Senator from South Carolina, 2005 - 2013
 * Kevin Faulconer, Mayor of San Deigo since 2014.
 * Carly Fiorina, Former Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
 * Chris Gibson, Congressman from New York, 2013 - 2017.
 * Trey Gowdy, Chair of he House Oversight Committee since 2017, Congressman from South Carolina's 4th District since 2011.
 * Eric Greitens, Governor of Missouri since 2017.
 * Nikki Haley, Governor of South Carolina since 2011.
 * Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas 1996 - 2007 and candidate for president in 2008 and 2016
 * Jon Huntsman Jr, Former Ambassador to China, 2009 - 2011 Former Governor of Utah, 2005 - 2009, Ambassador to Singapore, 1992 - 1993, candidate for president in 2012.
 * Will Hurd, former Congressman from Texas, 2015 - 2017.
 * Bobby Jindal, former Governor of Louisiana, 2008 - 2016, former congressman from Louisiana's 1st District, 2005 - 2008, candidate for President in 2016.
 * James Lankford, Senator from Oklahoma since 2015, former Congressman from Oklahoma's 1st district, 2011 - 2015.
 * Mia Love, Congresswoman from Utah since 2015, former Mayor of Saratoga Springs, 2010 - 2014.*
 * Kevin McCarthy, House Majority Leader since 2014, Congressman from California's 22nd and 23rd districts since 2007
 * Bruce Rauner, Governor of Illinois since 2015.
 * Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts, 2003 - 2007, candidate for President in 2008 and nominee for President in 2012
 * Marco Rubio, Senator from Florida since 2011.
 * Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House since 2015, Congressman from Wisconsin's 1st District since 1999 and nominee for Vice President in 2012*
 * Rick Synder, Governor of Michigan since 2011.
 * Donald Trump Jr, Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization.
 * Meg Whitman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
 * Daniel Webster, Congressman from Florida since 2011.*
 * Bill Weld, Senator from Massachusetts since 2017, former Governor of Massachusetts, 1991 - 1997 and Libertarian nominee for Vice President in 2016.*
 * Todd Young, Senator form Indiana since 2017, Congressman from Indiana, 2011 - 2017.

Declined Candidates

 * Justin Amash, Congressman from Michigan since 2011
 * Charlie Baker, Governor of Massachusetts since 2015.
 * Matt Bevin, Governor of Kentucky since 2015.
 * Ben Carson, Retired Neurosurgeon and author.
 * Bob Corker, Senator from Tennessee since 2007
 * Mitch Daniels, former Governor of Indiana, 2005 - 2013
 * Joni Ernst, Senator from Iowa since 2015
 * Deb Fischer, Senator from Nebraska since 2013
 * Jeff Flake, Senator from Arizona since 2013
 * Cory Gardner, Senator from Colorado since 2015
 * Eric Holcomb, Governor of Indiana since 2017
 * John Neely Kennedy, senator from Louisiana since 2017
 * James "Mad Dog" Mattis, retired General.
 * Matt Mead, Governor of Wyoming since 2011.
 * Rick Perry, former Governor of Texas, 2000 - 2015.
 * Pete Ricketts, Governor of Nebraska since 2015
 * Tim Scott, Senator from South Carolina since 2013
 * Rick Scott, Governor of Florida since 2011
 * Elise Stefanik, Congresswoman from New York's 21st district since 2015
 * Chris Sununu, Governor of New Hampshire since 2017
 * John Thune, Senator from South Dakota since 2005
 * Rand Paul, Senator from Kentucky since 2011
 * Mike Pence, former Governor of Indiana, 2013 - 2017 and Vice Presidential nominee in 2016
 * Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House since 2015

State Wide Polling
Iowa

Libertarian Party
Having received 5% of the national popular vote, the Libertarian Party has gained matching federal funds.

Declared Candidates
Candidates in this section have filed paperwork with the FEC and/or equivalent paperwork. Announcing a run but not filling paper work does not qualify a candidate as "declared.
 * Talk show host Adam Kokesh

Potential Candidates

 * Jim Gray, former Judge and Libertarian nominee for Vice President in 2012
 * John McAfee, former Software Developer and CEO from Tennessee and candidate for President in 2016
 * Rand Paul, Senator from Kentucky since 2011
 * Ron Paul, former Congressman from Texas, 1976 - 1977, 1979 - 1985, 1997 - 2013

Declined Candidates

 * Gary Johnson, Former Governor of New Mexico, Nominee for President in 2012 and 2016.
 * Rand Paul, Senator from Kentucky since 2011
 * Austin Petersen, Libertarian Activist from Missouri and candidate for President in 2016

Green Party
The Green Party placed fourth in the popular vote last election, taking .98% nationally. The Green Party's 2012 and 2016 nominee, Jill Stein, has not stated wether she will seek the nomination again, although she has expressed interest in seeking the nomination. The Green Party is expected to focus on obtaining ballot access in all 50 states, and or 5% nationally.

Candidates who have Publicly Expressed Interest

 * Jill Stein, physician;Green nominee for President in 2012 and 2016; Green-Rainbow nominee for Governor of Massachusetts in 2002 and 2010

Speculative Candidates

 * Rocky Anderson, former mayor of Salt Lake City, 2000 - 2008
 * Ajamu Baraka, Climate Activist
 * Faith Spotted Eagle, Native American and Climate Change activist
 * Elizabeth Kucinich, Activist
 * Winona LaDuke, Activist
 * Jill Stein, retired physician and green party nominee for president in 2012 and 2016
 * Nina Turner, State Legislator from Ohio's 25th District, 2008 - 2014

Declined

 * Zephyr Teachout, Legal activist

Declined Candidates

 * Ralph Nader, Activist and Presidential Candidate in 1996, 2000, independent candidate in 2004 and 2008.

Declared Candidates

 * Kanye West, Rapper and Songwriter from California

Candidates who have publicly expressed interest

 * Dwayne Johnson, Actor
 * Evan McMullin, Former CIA Operative.
 * Michael Flynn, retired Lieutenant General.

Speculative Candidates

 * Rocky Anderson, Former Mayor of Salt Lake City and founder of the Justice Party
 * Mindy Finn, CEO of Empowered Women
 * Curt Schilling, Fromer Professional Baseball Pitcher
 * Bill Walker, Governor of Alaska since 2014

Declined Candidates

 * Mark Cuban, businessman from Texas
 * Bernie Sanders, Senator from Vermont since 2007 and Democratic Candidate for President in 2016
 * Mark Zuckerburg, businessman from California