Four new candidates join the presidential field
The past three weeks have seen four new potential presidents throw their hats into the ring as they join an already large democratic field.
Vermont Senator Bernard (Bernie) Sanders, 77, announced his candidacy on Feb. 19. Sanders is a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, and as such many of his policy positions fall to the left of most democratic senators. Sanders is an independent senator, meaning that he is not a registered Democrat, however he does caucus with the democrats and is seeking with their nomination.
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, 58, announced her candidacy at a rally, met with lots of snow. Klobuchar has been a Minnesota senator since 2007. Klobuchar has the highest staff turnover rate according to Politico, and she told voters in New Hampshire that “Am I a tough boss sometimes? Yes. Have I pushed people too hard? Yes”. Klobuchar has also described herself as the “senator next door.”
Former Republican Governor Bill Weld of Massachusetts, 73, has announced that he is challenging incumbent President Donald Trump for the republican nomination for president. Weld has not held political office since 1997, however he did run for vice president with the Libertarian Party in 2016 with former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson. Weld describes himself as socially liberal and fiscally moderate.
Former Representative of Texas Beto O’Rourke, 46, has stated that he has come to a decision on his potential presidential run. O’Rourke ran an unsuccessful senate bid for one of the two senate seats in Texas, ultimately losing to incumbent Ted Cruz, however he gained over 47 percent of the vote in Texas.