During a post-midterm analysis session in Concord, NH–home of the “First In The Nation” presidential primary– former state Democratic chairwoman Kathy Sullivan ran through her list of potential Democratic candidates in 2020.  Sullivan, a veteran of several presidential races in this key, early state, had an extensive list, running to around 20 names. However, her list wasn’t comprehensive. In fact, it left off high-profile names:

Former Secretary of State (and 2004 Democratic POTUS nominee) John Kerry; Former Secretary of State (and 2016 Democratic POTUS nominee) Hillary Clinton; and the Democrat who energized New Hampshire audiences more than any other 2020 contender over the summer and fall, attorney Michael Avenatti.

InsideSources followed up and got her responses:

John Kerry: “Not happening.”

Michael Avenatti: “I’ve met him, he’s a smart guy, but obviously with the domestic assault arrest, that’s a problem. But even before then he made a comment that the Democratic nominee ‘should be a white male,’–yeah, that’s not gonna work.”

Hillary Clinton: “Unlike Republicans, Democrats don’t tend to treat former candidates very well.  Like at Michael Dukakis. He ran for president and then disappeared from the face of the earth. I’m not going to speculate [on Hillary in 2020]. I just don’t see it happening.”

Here is the current list of 33 potential Democratic candidates for 2020 as compiled by Inside Sources:

Attorney Michael Avenatti
Vice President Joe Biden
Mayor Mike Bloomberg
Senator Cory Booker
Senator Sherrod Brown
Gov. Steve Bullock
Mayor Pete Buttigieg
HUD Secretary Julian Castro
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Rep. John Delaney
Mayor Eric Garcetti
Senator Kristen Gillibrand
Senator Kamala Harris
Gov. John Hickenlooper
Attorney General Eric Holder
Gov. Jay Inslee
Secretary of State John Kerry
Senator Amy Klobuchar
Mayor Mitch Landrieu
Gov. Terry McAuliffe
Senator Jeff Merkley
Rep. Seth Moulton
Senator Chris Murphy
Gov. Martin O’Malley
Rep. Beto O’Rourke
State Senator Richard Ojeda
Gov. Deval Patrick
Rep. Tim Ryan
Senator Bernie Sanders
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz
Billionaire Tom Steyer
Rep Eric Swalwell
Entrepreneur Andrew Wang
Senator Elizabeth Warren

 

Is there a name missing? Please send it to [email protected]