4 Democrats on the verge of announcing a 2020 presidential bid


With Democrats teasing possible 2020 presidential bids left and right, it's hard to tell who's next in line to officially announce.
One likely candidate whose announcement could come very soon is Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who The New York Times reports has just hired a communications director for a possible 2020 run, in addition to some other important hires reported by Politico. Considering, as the Times points out, she has 15 days to file with the Federal Election Commission once she has spent $5,000 or more on campaign expenses, her announcement could come during that window — not to mention the fact that Politico reports she's planning a trip to Iowa.
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.)'s announcement also appears to be around the corner. KCBS reports that Harris has decided to run and that she'll declare her candidacy sometime around Martin Luther King Day. This latter aspect of the report is in dispute, but sources that spoke with the Times and Politico didn't exactly deny that she's running, just saying that the timing of any announcement hasn't yet been decided.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
We also might soon hear from Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who CNN says has been looking for a campaign manager and has "narrowed" his search, also "zeroing in on senior staff" in New Hampshire and Iowa.
Finally, while he has already signaled a likely 2020 run with an exploratory committee, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro has said he will announce his final decision on Jan. 12.
But what about some of the other frontrunners, like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Vice President Joe Biden? Axios reports that both seem likely hold off on their announcements a bit longer, though Biden has privately said he will make his decision this month, the Times reports. With as many as 30 people potentially running on the Democratic side this cycle, enjoy the slim lineup while it lasts.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
5 heavy-handed cartoons about ICE and deportation
Cartoons Artists take on international students, the Supreme Court, and more
By The Week US
-
Exploring the three great gardens of Japan
The Week Recommends Beautiful gardens are 'the stuff of Japanese landscape legends'
By The Week UK
-
Is Prince Harry owed protection?
Talking Point The Duke of Sussex claims he has been singled out for 'unjustified and inferior treatment' over decision to withdraw round-the-clock security
By The Week UK
-
Judge threatens Trump team with criminal contempt
Speed Read James Boasberg attempts to hold the White House accountable for disregarding court orders over El Salvador deportation flights
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Biden slams Trump's Social Security cuts
Speed Read In his first major public address since leaving office, Biden criticized the Trump administration's 'damage' and 'destruction'
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
El Salvador refuses to return US deportee
Speed Read President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador said he would not send back the unlawfully deported Kilmar Ábrego García
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump says electronics tariff break won't last
Speed Read The tariff exemptions on smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices are temporary, the administration says
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Man charged in arson attack on Pennsylvania's Shapiro
Speed Read Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping when someone set fire to his Harrisburg mansion
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
White House pushes for oversight of Columbia University
Speed Read The Trump administration is considering placing the school under a consent decree
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Supreme Court backs wrongly deported migrant
Speed Read The Trump administration must 'facilitate' the return of wrongfully deported migrant Kilmar Ábrego García from El Salvador, Supreme Court says
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Two judges bar war-powers deportations
Speed Read The Trump administration was blocked from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport more alleged Venezuelan gang members
By Peter Weber, The Week US