Donald Trump:

President Donald Trump is currently running for re-election in the 2020 race with goals similar to his 2016 campaign. As president, Trump has increased military spending, cut back on federal healthcare protections and withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris Agreement. In 2017, Trump rescinded Obamacare’s Individual Mandate and worked on reforming the Medicare program. His campaign’s signature issue in 2016 was illegal immigration, and as president he commissioned the border wall. He also cancelled the Clean Power Plan and, according to his campaign, increased coal exports by more than 60% during his first year in office. Another major part of Trump’s campaign focus is cutting taxes, and he passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2016. According to his campaign, a vote for Trump is a vote to “keep America great.”  According to CNBC, in early February Trump’s job approval rating among U.S. voters was at 49%, the highest level of his presidency as of yet. The same poll found that among Trump’s target audience of GOP voters he has an estimated 94% current approval rate.

Bernie Sanders:

As mayor of Burlington starting in 1981 and as a representative from Vermont, Bernie Sanders focused much of his efforts into affordable housing, protecting the environment and furthering women’s rights. Now a senator from Vermont, Sanders identifies as an independent but is running for the Democratic nomination. He is a supporter of creating Medicare for All, a national health insurance program to give all Americans access to free, comprehensive health care, and he also believes in debt-free public colleges. Sanders campaigns in favor of the Green New Deal, expanding social security, combating the climate crisis and creating a 100% renewable energy system. According to NPR,  Sanders currently possesses 501 delegates out of the 1,991 needed to win the Democratic Nomination and also won New Hampshire’s presidential primary.

Elizabeth Warren:

Elizabeth Warren was a law professor for over 30 years before becoming a senator for her home state of Massachusetts. Similar to Sanders, Warren’s administration strongly advocates for the environment by campaigning for the Green and Blue New Deals and advocating for 100% clean energy sources for America. Warren plans on fighting for equal justice under the law by providing safe and affordable housing, giving debt relief to Puerto Rico, instituting a welcoming immigration system and taking congressional action to secure choice in women’s reproductive health. She campaigns primarily to the middle class by promising to hold Wall Street accountable and end the stranglehold of healthcare costs on families by advocating for Medicare for All. According to NPR, Warren currently possesses 61 delegates.

Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore through Wikimedia

Joe Biden:

Joe Biden is a former senator and vice president to Barack Obama. Like many other Democratic candidates, Biden campaigns for rebuilding the middle class, reforming the criminal justice system and tackling the climate crisis to better protect our communities. His campaign site also prominently features universal health care, calling it a “right for all—not a privilege for the few.” Biden plans to build on the Affordable Care Act instead of getting rid of private insurance. His campaign also refers to him as a “climate change pioneer” due to his plans for environmental justice and a clean energy revolution. According to CNN, Biden appeals to more moderate Democratic voters. According to NPR, Biden currently possesses 566 out of the 1,991 delegates needed to win the Democratic Primary.

Last updated 3/4/2020.