Alexander Burns, Matt Flegenheimer, Jasmine C. Lee, Lisa Lerer and Jonathan Martin

<h1>They are thinking. Weighing. Mulling. And, in some cases, already campaigning.</h1>

It can feel like half the Democratic Party is considering a White House run. In fact, it’s only a couple dozen. Below, an accounting of how the prospective contenders have been preparing.

— Julián Castro, 44

Former housing secretary; former mayor of San Antonio

“I’m running for president because it’s time for new leadership. Because it’s time for new energy.”

Opted out of challenging Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, for the Senate in the 2018 midterm elections.

Once a rising political star, has struggled to find a role during the Trump administration.

Money could be an issue, especially if former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-Texas, a small donor magnet, also mounts a bid.

Signature issues: Has emphasized a platform of universal prekindergarten, “Medicare for all” and immigration reform.

— John Delaney, 55

Former congressman from Maryland; former businessman

“I think I’m the right person for the job, but not enough people knew who I was or still know who I am.”

Was elected to the House in 2012 as a “pragmatic idealist,” in his telling.

Has been running aggressively since 2017.

Has already visited every county in Iowa, though it’s unclear if he has improved his long-shot prospects.

Signature issues: Has pitched himself as a bipartisan problem-solver, but has also endorsed liberal causes such as universal health care.

— Tulsi Gabbard, 37

Congresswoman from Hawaii; Army National Guard veteran

“There are a lot of challenges that are facing the American people that I’m concerned about and that I want to help solve.”

Supported Bernie Sanders in the 2016 primaries.

Has drawn condemnation for meeting with Syria’s president, Bashar Assad, whose regime has been accused of using chemical weapons against civilians.

Has apologized for her history of anti-gay statements and her past work for an anti-gay advocacy group.

Signature issue: Opposition to U.S. military intervention overseas, including in countries like Syria.

— Kirsten Gillibrand, 52

Senator from New York; former congresswoman

“I’m going to run for president of the United States because, as a young mom, I am going to fight for other people’s kids as hard as I would fight for my own.”

Was once a congresswoman from a conservative House district (with policy positions to match).

Has transformed herself into a progressive champion in President Donald Trump’s Washington, becoming one of the Senate’s leading liberal voices.

Signature issue: Has long placed women’s equality and opportunity at the center of her policy agenda.

— Kamala Harris, 54

Senator from California; former attorney general of California; former San Francisco district attorney

“I believe our country wants and needs some leadership that provides a vision of the country in which everyone could see themselves.”

Would bring a star power and history-making potential to the race that few other Democrats can match.

One of few new Democrats to join the Senate after 2016.

Quickly drew notice for her tough questioning of Trump’s cabinet nominees — and later, his Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh.

Signature issues: Unveiled middle-class tax cut legislation in fall and has championed a liberal civil-rights agenda in the Senate.

— Richard Ojeda, 48

Former West Virginia state senator; military veteran

“We’re going to have quite a few lifetime politicians that are going to throw their hat in the ring, but I guarantee you there’s going to be a hell of a lot more of them than there are people like myself.”

Made his name in West Virginia politics as one of the leading voices in the teacher protests that roiled the state Capitol in 2018.

Ran a populist House campaign in fall, but lost in a heavily pro-Trump district.

Signature issue: Wants to return the party to its populist roots and lessen the influence of powerful financial interests.

— Elizabeth Warren, 69

Senator from Massachusetts; former Harvard professor

“It’s time for women to go to Washington and fix our broken government, and that includes a woman at the top.”

Has done some of the most extensive preparations for a presidential run.

Attempted to dispatch questions about her Native American heritage by releasing the results of a DNA test.

That effort raised questions about her readiness for a national bid.

Signature issues: Income inequality and what she sees as a middle class under attack from big corporations and political corruption.

— Andrew Yang, 44

Former tech executive who heads an economic development nonprofit

“Universal basic income is an old idea, but it’s an old idea that right now is uniquely relevant because of what we’re experiencing in society.”

Is running a long-shot campaign on a proposal to establish a universal basic income funded by the government.

Has drawn some media attention for highlighting tech issues like robotics and artificial intelligence.

Signature issue: Establishing a universal basic income of $1,000 per month for all Americans.

— Cory Booker, 49

Senator from New Jersey; former mayor of Newark

“What we need now are courageous actors who call to the conscience of our country a higher moral imagination, who call for a revival of civic grace.”

Would be one of the most gifted orators in the field, likely running on a politics of uplift that recalls former President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign.

Enjoys a vast fundraising base, thanks to long-standing connections to donors around the country.

Signature issues: Has been one of the leaders in the Senate on criminal justice reform, but his appeal would likely center on his call to unify the country.

— John Hickenlooper, 66

Former governor of Colorado; former mayor of Denver

“We’re beyond mulling. I think we’re engaging people I’ve known and trusted and understand some of the subtleties around running for the highest office.”

A political moderate with a record of success in a purple state.

A former geologist who struck it rich when he opened a brewery in Denver.

Will likely cast himself as someone who can attract support for a broad coalition, though some of his victories entailed cutting deals with the Republican business establishment.

Signature issues:Has stressed his record of consensus-building around issues like expanding Medicaid, gay rights and gun control.

— Joe Biden, 76

Former vice president; former senator from Delaware

“I think I’m the most qualified person in the country to be president.”

Has run for president twice before.

Is among the best-liked figures in the Democratic Party, known for his down-to-earth personality and his ability to connect with working-class voters.

Regards 2020 as his last chance to run for president.

Signature issues: Restoring America’s standing on the global stage; strengthening economic protections for low-income workers in industries like manufacturing and fast food.

— Steve Bullock, 52

Governor of Montana; former state attorney general

“I do have a story of how I’ve been able to bring people together, and I think that’s in part what our country desperately needs.”

Democratic governor of a state that Trump won easily in 2016.

Would offer himself as a bridge to rural America.

Came out in favor of an assault weapons ban, despite overseeing a state that prizes its hunting.

Signature issues: Expected to make campaign finance reform central, while also pushing early childhood education and other policies aimed at reducing economic inequality.

— Eric Garcetti, 47

Mayor of Los Angeles; former City Council president

“It’s going to be about national unity; it’s going to be about winning the future.”

Passed up a chance to run for governor of California in 2018.

Has positioned himself as a pragmatist with concrete accomplishments on issues like infrastructure and mass transit.

If elected, would be the first mayor to be elevated directly to the Oval Office.

Signature issues: Has emphasized his record of achieving left-of-center policy consensus on matters like transportation, taxes and infrastructure.

— Bernie Sanders, 77

Independent Senator from Vermont; former congressman

“If it turns out that I am the best candidate to beat Donald Trump, then I will probably run.”

A self-described democratic socialist.

Was the runner-up in the 2016 Democratic primary.

Would begin a second White House race with a more extensive organization-in-waiting than any other candidate.

Kamala Harris has entered the 2020 Democratic race and here's who else is running

It can feel like half the Democratic Party is considering a White House run. In fact, it’s only a couple dozen.

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Alexander Burns, Matt Flegenheimer, Jasmine C. Lee, Lisa Lerer and Jonathan Martin

Articles written by the author

Kamala Harris has entered the 2020 Democratic race and here's who else is running