Troy Brinkel, ‘20 Sports Editor
As the 2018 midterm elections come to a close, Democrats have already begun their campaigns for the 2020 election. Many of these candidates carry different beliefs.
Joe Biden, Former Vice President of the United States
Although Joe Biden has not officially announced he is running, sources close to him have confirmed he will publicly announce his campaign soon. Biden was born in 1942, and became an attorney in 1969. He was elected to the Senate first in 1972. In 2008, Biden was chosen to be Barack Obama’s running mate. Obama eventually won the White House race, and Biden was elected as the 47th vice president. He was immediately given the task of counteracting the great recession that occured in 2007. His negotiation skills allowed him and the Obama administration to pass multiple legislations including tax relief, and the job creation act of 2010. Biden leads early democrat polls due to his charisma, yet these polls will continue to change as the election gets closer and closer.
Political Views
Claims to be pro life personally, but accepts pro choice in his government
Is supportive of gay rights and same-sex marriage
Is against legalization of Marijuana, claims it is a gateway drug
Supports more funding to public schools and teachers
Supports protection of the environment and laws to protect it
Julian Castro, Former Mayor of San Antonio Texas
Julian Castro announced his running on Jan. 12. Castro served as the mayor of San Antonio from 2009 to 2014, and served on Obama’s cabinet as the chairman of Urban Housing and Development. Besides that, Castro has no other previous experience in political office.
Political Views
Has fought against laws prohibiting abortion
Supports gay rights and same-sex marriage
Has called for universal health care
Supports public schools and funding for them
Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator from Minnesota
Amy Klobuchar was born in Plymouth, Minnesota and graduated from Yale University and the University of Chicago Law School. She was an owner of two law firms in Minnesota before her election for county attorney for Hennepin county in 1998. She was elected to the senate in 2006, becoming Minnesota’s first female senator; she would be re-elected in 2012 and 2018. She recently announced her campaign during a blizzard in Minneapolis.
Political Views
Fights for easy-accessible abortions
Wants to increase background checks on guns
Voted for universal health care
Provide tax incentives for renewable resources
Kamala Harris, U.S. Senator from California
Kamala Harris is seen as an early favorite for the Democrat nomination. She graduated from the University of California Hastings College of Law. She was elected California’s Attorney General in 2010, and she was then elected to California’s Senate in 2016. She formally announced her campaign on Jan. 20, where she vowed to create the biggest middle class tax cut in a generation.
Political Views
Supports abortion
Voted for the legalization of Marijuana
Speaks about battling climate change
Wants to make it impossible for convicted felons to obtain a gun
Photo courtesy of NBC News
Lyon Life 