Michael Bennet, 54 - senator from Colorado
Democrat known for seeking compromise.
Has called for the economy to be modernised in fields such as AI and for increasing infrastructure spending.
Joseph R. Biden, 76 - former senator from Delaware; former vice president
Democrat known for his down for his ability to connect with working-class voters.
Was Vice President of the United States from 2009-2017.
Aims to restore America’s standing on the global stage and increase economic protection for low-income workers in industries such as fast food.
Cory Booker, 50 - former mayor of Newark; senator from New Jersey
Democrat known for his great public speaking skills.
Has support from donors around the country for fundraising.
Has been a leader in the Senate on criminal justice reform; has put forward the idea of “baby bonds” (essentially a savings account for every baby in America).
Steve Bullock, 53 - former state attorney general; governor of Montana
Democrat known as a pragmatist who has even gained some Republican support.
In favour of an assault weapons ban.
Wants to change the involvement of money in politics; supports pushing early childhood education and other policies wanting to reduce economic inequality.
Pete Buttigieg, 37 - mayor of South Bend, Ind.; military veteran
Democrat known as the writer of an essay that advised Democrats on how to recover the 2016 election’s defeats.
Has a more youthful profile than many other candidates.
Focuses on economic opportunity, environmental problems and various other issues.
Julián Castro, 44 - former housing secretary; former mayor of San Antonio, Texas
Democrat perhaps known as the giver of a performance in the first debate in June, declaring that Donald Trump would soon be out of office.
Campaigns for the rights of immigrants, for example through decriminalizing border crossings; has called for various education policies.
John Delaney, 56 - former congressman from Maryland; former businessman
Democrat who considers himself to be a “pragmatic idealist”.
Supports the idea of bipartisanship (finding some compromise between Democrats and Republicans) when problem solving.
Promotes universal health care and other liberal causes.
Tulsi Gabbard, 38 - Army National Guard veteran, congresswoman from Hawaii
Democrat who was previously involved with an anti-gay advocacy group and made anti-gay comments but has since apologised.
Has come under fire for meeting with Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s problematic president.
Opposes overseas American military intervention.
Amy Klobuchar, 59 - senator from Minnesota; former Hennepin County attorney
Democrat praised by many for her questioning of Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearings.
Promotes legislation to combat the opioid crisis and drug addiction.
Supports the addressing of the cost of prescription drugs.
Wayne Messam, 45 - mayor of Miramar, Florida
Democrat who became Miramar’s first black mayor.
Aims to focus on cancelling student debt owed by 44 million Americans, which comes to a total of over $1.5 trillion.
Has taken progressive stances on environmental issues and guns, as well as immigration.
Tim Ryan, 46 - former congressional staff member; congressman from Ohio
Democrat who joined congress at 29.
Changed his stance on abortion from opposing abortion rights to being ‘pro choice’
Believes in and punishes Chinese currency manipulation.
Supports the enforcement or renegotiating of trade deals.
Bernie Sanders, 77 - senator from Vermont; former congressman
Democrat who refers to himself as a ‘democratic socialist’.
His agenda items, which have changed little over five decades, include Medicare for all, a $15 minimum wage and tuition-free public college.
Aims to reduce the influence of billionaires.
Joe Sestak, 67 - former Navy admiral; former congressman from Pennsylvania
Democrat who won a senate seat in the 2010 Democratic primary in Pennsylvania.
Sees great importance in combatting climate change.
Wants to ‘restore America’s place in the world’.
Tom Steyer, 62 - billionaire former hedge fund executive; climate change and impeachment activist
Democrat who began as an environmental activist (and is still extremely focused on combatting climate change).
Spend millions of dollars on television ads demanding the impeachment of Trump.
Also wants to decriminalise illegal border crossings.
Elizabeth Warren, 70 - senator from Massachusetts; former Harvard professor
Democrat who has released thorough plans that allegedly have the potential to reshape the economy, and therefore help to create “big, structural change”.
Wants to solve income inequality.
Sees political corruption and big corporations as attacking the middle class.
Marianne Williamson, 67 - new age lecturer; self-help author
Democrat who founded a charity which gives meals to those with serious illnesses.
Over the years, has shown lots of support for gay men with AIDs.
Has proposed spending $100 billion to try and help to compensate for slavery.
Suggests that there needs to be a “moral and spiritual awakening in the country”.
Andrew Yang, 44 - former tech executive who founded an economic development nonprofit
Democrat has based his campaign on establishing a universal basic income of $1,000 per month for all Americans funded by the government.
In the past, has highlighted artificial intelligence and other tech issues which has given him media attention.
Mark Sanford, 59 - former congressman from South Carolina; former governor of the state
Republican who has been vocal about his criticisms of Trump.
Keen on pushing a national debate surrounding America’s debt (which is increasing).
Donald J. Trump, 73 - U.S. president; real estate developer; reality television star
Republican who is focusing on undoing policies of the Obama administration such as ones on immigration, health care and environmental regulation.
Has promised to build a wall at the Mexican border to help restrict immigration.
Attempting to adjust or cancel international deals on climate change, trade and arms control.
Joe Walsh, 57 - former congressman from Illinois; radio show host
Republican who has recently become more vocal about his dislike for Trump.
Aims to lessen national debt, as well as secure the border.
Has used terms such as “Muslim” and “traitor” to describe Obama, however has since expressed regret for such comments.
William F. Weld, 74 - former governor of Massachusetts; former federal prosecutor.
Republican who has criticised Trump and his actions, particularly his call to deport immigrants.
Supports and has been involved in steps to legalise marijuana.
As a more moderate Republican, approves of free trade and moderate immigration reform.
By Ines Elliott Granger, LVI
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