Democrat hopefuls either declared or considering presidential runs next year

WASHINGTON — California Sen. Kamala Harris announced Monday she intends to seek the Democratic nomination to challenge U.S. President Donald Trump for the White House in 2020. She joins an already crowded field that’s widely expected to grow significantly in the coming days and weeks. Some of the names:

DEFINITELY/PROBABLY:

California Sen. Kamala Harris, 54, former state prosecutor and attorney general; critics say she took a hard line in those roles, turning her nose up at sentencing-reform initiatives and wrongful convictions.   

New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, 52, former congresswoman; focused on issues of gender and racial equality.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, 69, former Harvard professor perhaps best known for her ill-advised DNA test to prove Indigenous heritage. A vocal champion of middle-class income equality and women’s rights. 

Two and Out

PETERS: Paying attention is half the battle

Jan 17, 2025

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: 4 ways to take ownership of our food system this new year

Jan 17, 2025

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: January 16, 2025

Jan 16, 2025

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, 49, former mayor of Newark, outspoken on criminal-justice reform.  

Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, 37, veteran of the Army National Guard; assailed for meeting with Syrian president and for anti-gay slurs and advocacy work.

Richard Ojeda, 48, veteran, former Virginia state senator who lost House bid in 2018 midterms.

Julian Castro, 44; former housing secretary under Barack Obama and former mayor of San Antonio, Tex., likely fearing a bid by fellow Texan Beto O’Rourke.  

John Delaney, 55, former member of the House of Representatives from Maryland. 

John Hickenlooper, 66, former Colorado governor and ex-mayor and brewery owner in Denver.  

___

PROBABLY/MAYBE

Joe Biden, 76, former vice-president under Barack Obama and a veteran of presidential campaigning. Widely acknowledged in early polls as the distant front-runner, but observers believe he may still be undecided about running. 

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, 77, “democratic socialist” best known for strong views on income inequality and his stouter-than-expected challenge to Hillary Clinton for the 2016 Democratic nomination.

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, 52, former state attorney general.  

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, 47, former president of city council.  

___

MAYBE/MAYBE NOT

Beto O’Rourke, 46, former Texas congressman whose bid to unseat Ted Cruz in 2018 made him a millennial champion, a viral sensation and a small-dollar fundraising dynamo.  

Michael Bloomberg, 76, former New York City mayor, media executive. 

Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, 66, liberal, economic populist and protectionist.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, 67, climate-change champion.

Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley, 62, former state legislator and housing activist.

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, 58, former prosecutor.

Mitch Landrieu, 58, former New Orleans mayor.  

Terry McAuliffe, 61, former Virginia governor.

The Canadian Press